The Trump administration has issued a new directive requiring K-12 schools to certify compliance with an executive order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Schools and states have been given 10 days to comply or risk losing federal funding, including Title I funds that support low-income areas. The directive, announced Thursday, is part of the administration’s broader effort to enforce anti-DEI policies, which it claims violate federal civil rights laws by favoring one group over another.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Education has instructed state education offices to collect compliance certifications from school districts. The memo emphasizes that federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right, and warns that schools using illegal DEI practices could face the loss of federal funds and liability under the False Claims Act.
The administration’s stance is rooted in a 2023 Supreme Court decision that barred affirmative action in college admissions, as reported by The Guardian. However, the lack of clarity around which DEI programs are targeted has led to confusion among educators. Critics argue that the directive contradicts President Trump’s promise to return control to states and schools.
The Education Department has faced backlash from teachers’ unions and legal experts, who claim the policy could unlawfully chill lawful diversity and equity activities. Despite the controversy, the administration continues to use federal funding as leverage to enforce its policies, with over 80 investigations into schools and universities already underway.
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