ED Instructs Schools to End Racial Preferences
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office for Civil Rights issued a Dear Colleague letter last Friday requiring preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions, as well as state educational agencies, that receive financial assistance to cease using race as a factor in admissions, hiring, promotions, compensation, scholarships, discipline, and related areas. Noncompliance could result in investigations and loss of federal funding, with enforcement beginning within 14 days.
The letter asserts that “educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism’ and advanced discriminatory policies and practices.” Additionally, it criticizes DEI programs for fostering censorship and ideological conformity, suggesting that eliminating race-based policies will help restore free inquiry and academic excellence.
The letter gives educational institutions receiving federal funding 14 days to “ensure that their policies and actions comply with existing civil rights law.”