United States | News & Politics

The Trump administration's Department of Education is targeting school diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, asserting they may violate civil rights laws. A "Dear Colleague" letter from the department warns schools against considering race in admissions, hiring, financial aid, and other programs, even if non-racial criteria are used to achieve diversity goals. This stance follows the Supreme Court's 2023 decision against race-based college admissions. Legal experts argue the letter misstates the law and could have a "chilling effect" on schools' efforts to address inequality. The Department of Education says it will "vigorously enforce" the law, and schools have 14 days to comply or risk losing federal funding. This shift in civil rights enforcement aligns with President Trump's broader efforts to eliminate DEI programs across the government. The administration's commitment to this new direction is uncertain, especially given reported staff shortages and gag orders within the Office for Civil Rights. While such letters can influence school policy, districts committed to their diversity policies can challenge the department's stance.