States to Certify Anti-Discrimination Commitment or Lose Federal Education Funding

State education agencies must now certify that schools under their jurisdiction are not discriminating against students or employees based on race or national origin to remain eligible for future federal funding, officials said on April 3. The announcement, released by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, follows President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools. It also cites the 2023 Supreme Court Decision that determined that Harvard University’s practices of factoring in applicants’ race in the admissions process were illegal and unconstitutional. The signed forms are due on April 13. The announcement said state education leaders are responsible for the compliance actions of all local school districts....