The U.S. Department of Education has issued a stern warning to state education departments, mandating the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies or face the potential loss of federal funding. This directive comes in the wake of a letter sent to all 50 states, emphasizing compliance within a strict 14-day deadline. The letter, shared on social media by the Department of Government Efficiency, highlights the administration’s commitment to enforcing civil rights laws across educational institutions.
Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, stated that institutions that fail to adhere to federal civil rights laws could risk losing financial assistance. The letter underscores a growing concern regarding what it describes as "overt and covert racial discrimination" prevalent in the nation’s educational systems, which the department asserts will no longer be tolerated.
The urgency of the letter is bolstered by a recent Supreme Court ruling in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which found that affirmative action practices in college admissions violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Department of Education argues that this ruling should influence broader policies, stating that treating students differently based on race for the sake of diversity or equity is illegal under current law.
In addition to the warning, the letter insists that state education departments must ensure compliance with existing civil rights laws and cease any efforts to indirectly use race to meet diversity goals. This includes a prohibition on relying on third-party contractors or other means that attempt to circumvent these legal restrictions.
This move aligns with previous actions taken by the Biden administration, which included directives to eliminate federal funding for what it terms "illegal and discriminatory treatment" in K-12 schools. The Department of Education has already begun removing references to DEI from its official documents and websites, placing employees who led DEI initiatives on leave, and disbanding its Diversity & Inclusion Council.
The implications of this directive are significant, as state education departments must now navigate a landscape where adherence to federal mandates could reshape their policies on diversity and inclusion. As the deadline approaches, states will need to assess their current practices and make necessary adjustments to avoid potential funding cuts.