School DEI programs' removal deadline extended: Department of Education

The Department of Education extended the deadline for K-12 schools to sign a document certifying they have absolved any diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs from their districts. 

The department is giving state and school leaders a 10-day extension, until April 24, to certify “compliance with their antidiscrimination obligations,” a spokesperson for the department told The Hill.  

If the document is not signed, a school district could be at risk of losing federal funding.  

“No student should be denied opportunity or treated differently because of their race. When state education commissioners accept federal funding, they undertake the obligation to abide by federal antidiscrimination law. The Department is simply asking school districts to certify they are following the law and not using race preferences or pernicious race stereotypes in schools,” the department said in a statement to NewsNation.  

Federal funding makes up an average of 10 percent of public school funding, with some receiving more and others less.  

The notice is similar to a “Dear Colleague” letter that was sent to universities on Feb. 14, with both expanding on the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action ruling.  

A solid definition of DEI practices for schools to look for has not been provided. While the department said clubs based on race are allowed if any student can join, it has been less clear on other programs, such as classes that teach Black history.