(NewsNation) — Schools from kindergarten to college across the U.S. are beginning to adjust their programming websites in response to President Donald Trump’s policies against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Trump signed executive orders banning diversity practices across the federal government and educational institutions, with many private companies also reversing their DEI-related programs.
Schools scramble to meet DEI orders
Following a Friday night letter from the Department of Education, schools and colleges are now under pressure to eliminate DEI programs or risk losing federal funding.
The department’s civil rights division stated it would no longer tolerate the “overt and covert racial discrimination that has become widespread in this nation’s institutions.”
The letter cited white and Asian students as victims of discrimination, though some leaders in higher education have argued this is not the intent of DEI programs.
“This is a serious misunderstanding of DEI. Many people presume it to be about giving unearned, unfair advantages to particular groups. For the record, white women have been the single largest beneficiary of the nation’s longest-standing DEI policy, and that was affirmative action,” said Shaun Harper, a University of Southern California professor.
State-level DEI legislation
Twelve states have already passed laws to end DEI efforts, while another 12 are considering similar measures. Other states without laws on the books are working to comply with the new policy.
The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota lost a $6.8 million federal grant after the Trump administration deemed it was DEI-related.
Rob Vischer, a professor at the university, said the grant, which provided scholarships for graduate students pursuing a teaching license, was predominantly awarded to white students.
“It was not a DEI initiative in terms of anyone getting a preference. The components that were going to further diversity were really making sure that our students were prepared to be effective teachers no matter what cultural background their students came from,” he said.
Vischer said the university is exploring options to reinstate the funding, as many believe the policy change undermines educational priorities due to a teacher shortage.
Impact on funding for schools
While universities rely partly on student tuition, they also receive billions from the Education Department for scholarships, research and loans. In K-12 education, public schools rely on state and local tax funding, with the federal government providing about 11%.
Title 1 schools, which serve low-income families, stand to lose the most if DEI initiatives are discontinued.
After Trump’s executive order, higher education groups filed a lawsuit arguing the directive violates the Constitution, suggesting the push to eliminate DEI efforts will likely face further legal challenges.
