Federal authorities have begun a probe into how public schools in the District respond to allegations of sexual violence, according to a Department of Education official. The investigation stems from a November incident in which six Dunbar Senior High School students were charged with raping a 15-year-old student on the school’s lower level. Those charges were dropped in December. Even so, the incident drew sufficient concern to warrant a look into the schools’ procedures and safety culture, especially for female students, said Russlynn Ali, assistant education secretary for civil rights. A call Monday to D.C. Public Schools was not returned. The story was first reported in the Washington Post. – Leah Fabel
