US education department orders New York school to reverse ‘Thunderbirds’ to ‘T-Birds’ after civil rights law breach
The US Department of Education has ordered a New York school district to reverse its decision to rename its long-standing “Thunderbirds” mascot to “T-Birds,” after finding the change violated federal civil rights law. The ruling follows an investigation by the department’s Office for Civil Rights into actions taken by the Connetquot Central School District on Long Island.According to an official press release, the Office for Civil Rights concluded that the district discriminated on the basis of race and national origin by abandoning a Native American–derived name solely to comply with a state regulation banning such imagery. The finding adds to a broader federal challenge to New York’s policy on Native American mascots in public schools.Findings of the federal investigationThe Office for Civil Rights said it completed its investigation on January 22, 2026, determining that the district’s decision breached Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in education programmes receiving federal funding. The inquiry focused on whether the district treated Native American imagery differently from symbols linked to other racial or ethnic groups.Federal investigators noted that New York’s regulation banned names and logos based on Native American race or national origin while permitting others, such as “Dutchmen” or “Huguenots.” In an official statement, the department said this approach amounted to unlawful race- and national-origin-based classifications.Background to the mascot changeThe Connetquot Central School District had used the “Thunderbirds” name for decades. In September 2025, its board approved a settlement agreement to change the mascot to “T-Birds” after affirming compliance with the state regulation. The Office for Civil Rights found that the district’s decision was driven solely by the regulation, rather than by any independent finding of harm or discrimination.An investigation was formally opened in July 2025 following a complaint alleging that Native American mascots were being treated differently based on race, colour or national origin. The department said this complaint raised concerns that warranted federal scrutiny under civil rights law.Federal response and resolution offerAssistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said the department had found the district in violation of federal law for “erasing its Native American heritage to comply with a discriminatory New York state regulation,” according to the official press release. She added that equal treatment under the law was “non-negotiable” and said the district was expected to comply with a proposed resolution.The Office for Civil Rights has offered the district the opportunity to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement. Under its terms, the district would be required to readopt the “Thunderbirds” name for its sports teams, logos and mascots.Wider context in New YorkThe ruling follows an earlier federal finding in May 2025 that the New York State Education Department and Board of Regents violated Title VI by imposing a statewide ban on Native American mascots. That announcement was made during a visit by US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to Massapequa High School, the department said in a separate press release.The Education Department said it would continue enforcing federal civil rights protections in education nationwide under President Trump’s administration.
