11 State School Systems Say No to Federal Order to End DEI Programs

President Trump’s Department of Education (DOE) has ordered all 50 states to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in their schools. If they don’t, they risk losing federal funding. Eleven states refuse to do so. 

Oregon’s state DOE told the federal DOE that it “remains fiercely committed to its values of (DEI).” Oregon DOE Director Charlene Williams wrote that in a letter. She vowed her state would “stand up for public education.”

The DOE has told all public school systems to end their DEI programs by April 24 to keep receiving federal dollars. Along with Oregon, school officials in California, Colorado, and Washington state have said no. So too have Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Officials in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, have also refused. They say the DOE order has no legal basis. 

DEI programs are used in schools and the workplace to ensure equality and fair treatment. That applies to the hiring of ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ people. But DEI efforts have faced a big backlash from conservatives. They say these efforts to correct past wrongs against certain groups are unjust to White people.          

Trump and his team want to squash DEI programs in all walks of US life. They've banned DEI in government programs. And they've held back funding to institutions with DEI programs. They've also urged companies to roll back DEI efforts. Many have complied. But critics say the White House’s anti-DEI campaign discriminates. They say it breaches its own goal to give states more control of their schools.  

Almost 14% of all school funding US-wide comes from the US government. The DOE has yet to respond to any of the 11 states who say they won’t comply with its DEI order.    

Reflect: Who should ultimately decide what kinds of classes and programs public schools provide?  

Photo of students and teachers protesting changes to the Department of Education from Reuters.