Case: United States v. Rhode Island Department of Education
1:25-cv-00466 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
Filed Date: Sept. 16, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and Providence Public School District’s (PPSD) “Educators of Color Loan Forgiveness Program.” The Program was started in 2021, and allows new teachers of color who agree to work in Providence to earn up to $25,000 in student loan forgiveness. It was part of an effort to recruit up to 127 teachers who identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or two or more races.
On September 16, 2025, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) brought suit against RIDE and PPSD in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. The DOJ alleged that the Program discriminated against white teachers on the basis of their race by opening applications to non-white applicants only, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They seek a declaratory judgement that the Program violated Title VII; a permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from violating Title VII by implementing the Program, or any similar program, on the basis of race; and an “award of equitable relief to non-minority new PPSD teachers who were not eligible for the Program on the basis of race.” The case was assigned to District Judge Mary Susan McElroy.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Claire Pollard (9/16/2025)
Madena Mustafa (10/13/2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71357344/parties/united-states-v-rhode-island-department-of-education/
McElroy, Mary Susan (Rhode Island)
Galbreath, Robert (Rhode Island)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71357344/united-states-v-rhode-island-department-of-education/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 4:02 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Sept. 16, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The U.S. Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
School District
Providence Public School District
State
Rhode Island Department of Education
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Other Dockets:
District of Rhode Island 1:25-cv-00466
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Discrimination Basis:
Case Summary of United States v. Rhode Island Department of Education, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46957/ (last updated 10/13/2025).