Feds find merit in Asians’ South Philly High complaints

Federal authorities have told the Philadelphia School District that their inquiry found merit in the claims of Asian students who said they were abused at South Philadelphia High, the scene of racial attacks on Dec. 3.

In a letter to the district, the U.S. Department of Justice advised school officials to take steps to settle the matter. It was not immediately clear what form a settlement might take, though it would require the district to improve the treatment of Asian students. In their complaint, the students said they had been mocked, harassed and beaten at the school.

The action stems from a formal complaint against the district, filed with the Justice Department in January by an Asian civil-rights group. Such complaints do not result in criminal penalties. They can, however, bring broad, systemic reforms, provided the Justice Department finds that violations have occurred.

"The School District of Philadelphia acknowledges receiving from the United States Department of Justice a letter regarding the complaint filed against the District," district general counsel Michael Davis said in response to questions from The Inquirer. "The district is presently engaged in discussions with the Department of Justice seeking to resolve this matter amicably. Because of the ongoing discussions, the district will not comment further on this matter."

The imposition of government-mandated changes would be a major victory for Asian students and their advocates who have said their claims were ignored.

School officials say they took all incidents seriously.

Efforts to reach Justice Department spokespeople were unsuccessful.