Office of Civil Rights Methods of Administration

New Mexico recipients and sub-recipients of federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education are bound by federally mandated and regulated statutes to follow civil rights requirements in vocational programs.

The purpose of the Civil Rights Methods of Administration (MOA) coordinator, within the College and Career Readiness Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department, is to provide assistance to these recipients and sub-recipients with meeting the basic expectations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education.

The MOA coordinator works closely with the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on civil rights compliance issues impacting educational entities within the state of New Mexico.

Federal Compliance Program Summary

The MOA coordinator monitors activities that fall within the following regulations:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicap in any program or activity receiving federal assistance. These civil rights laws extend to all state education agencies, all elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and museums receiving U.S. Department of Education funds.

The MOA coordinator(s) also monitors:

• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prohibiting disability discrimination by public entities, including public school districts, public colleges and universities, public vocational schools, and public libraries, whether or not they receive Federal financial assistance
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975, prohibiting age discrimination.

We assist parents, students, school personnel, schools and colleges with prevention of civil rights violations, and monitor civil rights concerns at the local level.

The MOA coordinator is also responsible for compliance oversight of the Carl Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006.

Federal Compliance Essential Links

Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Portal

The Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Portal – live and available to staff, students, families, and community members to report school-based incidents of racism or racial discrimination against anyone. Reporters can file referrals of racialized aggression using the online submission form. The ARAO Portal was established as a requirement of the Black Education Act, passed in the 2021 General Session of the Legislature.