(Des Moines, IA) -- The U.S. Department of Justice will look into whether Des Moines Public Schools hiring practices violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to its website, Des Moines Public Schools require that teaching and learning staff match the student population in terms of demographics and cultural responsivity.
The district also set specific quotas for increasing the number of teachers of color in an affirmative action plan.
The Justice Department says race-based hiring violates federal anti-discrimination laws. The DOJ says schools must conduct merit based employment practices.