The Trump administration warned Thursday it may withhold federal funding from K-12 public schools found to have programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), unless they certify compliance with antidiscrimination laws as newly defined by the Education Department.
In a letter to state education officials, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said schools must sign a compliance document within 10 days. The administration argues DEI initiatives violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by allegedly favoring certain identity groups over others.
“Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” Trainor wrote, stating that schools accepting federal funds must comply with these updated interpretations of civil rights obligations.
The move mirrors a February letter to universities, referencing the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ruling, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. The administration’s latest notice warns that schools found noncompliant may lose funding.
Federal funding accounts for about 10% of K-12 public education budgets, with variation by state.
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