Trump’s Education Department Is Backing Away From Addressing Civil Rights for Black Students
The administration says race-conscious school programs violate federal law, while districts and advocates warn the moves are undermining desegregation efforts.
- The Trump administration withheld more than $20 million from Chicago Public Schools after the district refused to end its Black Student Success Program, targeting school diversity initiatives as illegal discrimination.
- Citing a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling, The Education Department now categorizes many diversity initiatives as 'illegal DEI,' deeming race-based considerations unconstitutional.
- Investigations into programs like Los Angeles Unified School District's Black Student Achievement Plan and equity initiatives in Iowa and Rhode Island have been launched, spurred by complaints from Defending Education, a Virginia-based group.
- Michael Pillera, director of educational equity issues at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, argues the crackdown "flips civil rights law on its head," harming entire school communities.
- Programs like PHBAO, which offers extra support when 70% of students are of color, remain under pressure as the administration challenges efforts created to address racial inequality following the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Trump Education Department Retreats From Civil Rights Protections for Black Students
For generations, the federal government enforced civil rights laws with an eye toward remedying historic, systemic discrimination against Black people and other people of color. The Justice Department pressed schools to desegregate. The Education Department worked to promote equal opportunity and held schools accountable for racial bias.
Associated Press News
Trump's Education Department is backing away from addressing civil rights for Black students
Under the Trump administration, efforts to address deep-rooted inequities for students of color are being cast as discriminatory against white students.
Trump also changes the definition of discrimination. The US administration blocks programs that some schools try to help vulnerable students, especially those of color, writes AP. Counselling programs, additional teachers, better access to advanced courses or support to reduce the differences between children – all receive the label "DEI illegal. I mean, if through initiatives of [...] Source
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