Several states are promising to resist the Trump administration’s effort to root out divisive diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from schools.
The Department of Education (ED) in February sent a directive to state education chiefs reminding them that they are bound by civil rights laws and cannot make admission or hiring decisions or host exclusionary programs based on race. Now, several states are signaling opposition to the administration’s latest request, issued April 3, requiring all states receiving federal education funds t0 provide proof that DEI initiatives are not in use as a condition for continued federal financial assistance.
New York state was one of the first to push back against the administration, with New York Schools Counsel and Deputy Commissioner Daniel Morton-Bentley stating in a letter to ED that the state would not comply as “there are no federal or State laws prohibiting…
