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Trump’s Education Department Is Backing Away From Addressing Civil Rights for Black Students
The administration has opened investigations and cut more than $20 million from Chicago Public Schools over race-conscious programs.
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.