Trump threatens funding cuts for public schools over DEI policies
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The headquarters of the Department of Education on March 12 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The Department of Education sent letters Thursday to state K-12 agencies requiring them to comply with the Trump administration's anti-diversity policies to maintain their federal funding.
Why it matters: It's the Trump administration's latest action against public schools that threatens Title I funding, which provides support for low-income students.
State of play: State officials were given a certification form, due within 10 days, to vouch that their policies aligned with federal directives against DEI practices.
- The department referred to the Supreme Court's overturning of affirmative action as a basis for anti-diversity policies, in addition to the Trump administration's interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
What they're saying: "Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right," Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote on Thursday. "When state education commissioners accept federal funds, they agree to abide by federal antidiscrimination requirements."
- "Unfortunately, we have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics."
Context: In a January executive order, Trump called for the end of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in schools and companies.
- They "undermine our national unity, as they deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system," the executive order said.
Zoom out: Last month, the Trump administration targeted 45 schools for what it called "race-exclusionary practices" a part of the effort to crack down on diversity initiatives.
- In February, the Department of Education warned academic institutions that it may cut federal funding for those with policies related to race or diversity.
Go deeper: Trump-voting states have more to lose if Education Department dismantled
