New York Education Officials Rejects Trump Administration’s Push to Eliminate DEI Programs

New York state education officials have rejected the Trump administration’s directive to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following federal threats to withhold funding. In a letter sent Friday, the New York State Education Department rebuked the Department of Education’s demand, calling it an overreach.

“We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion,’” wrote Daniel Morton-Bentley, counsel and deputy commissioner of the department. He added that there is no legal basis for revoking funding over DEI and that the agency “is unaware” of any federal jurisdiction to do so.

The federal DOE, citing civil rights concerns, recently demanded that schools eliminate what it called discriminatory DEI practices or risk losing funding, including Title I dollars. A memo referenced the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-based admissions.

New York, which receives around $2.2 billion in federal K-12 education funding, declined to issue further compliance certifications. “No further certification will be forthcoming,” Morton-Bentley wrote.

Source(s)

• The Hill – MBFC Rating