Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public schools will continue in New York State, even though the Trump administration has threatened to reduce federal money. State representatives assert that the federal government lacks the power to order DEI to cease.
In a recent letter to the U.S. Department of Education, Daniel Morton-Bentley, the deputy commissioner and counsel for the Education Department of New York, denied the request.
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According to CNN, Bentley wrote, “We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems ‘diversity, equity & inclusion.’”
Adding, “But there are no federal or State laws prohibiting the principles of DEI.”
The Trump administration mandated that schools nationwide verify within ten days that they do not operate DEI programs, which it deems discriminatory. This accreditation was linked by the administration to the preservation of federal funding, especially Title I grants that assist low-income schools. In New York, around 6% of the K–12 education budget comes from federal subsidies.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said federal money is a privilege and charged schools with utilizing DEI to provide preference to certain populations. He forwarded a paper outlining legal responsibilities related to civil rights statutes to school administrators.
New York has already verified compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, most recently in January, Morton-Bentley said. He declared there would be no further certifications and dismissed the administration’s legal justification.
He also used 2020 comments by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to highlight how the administration’s current stance on diversity and inclusion in education stands in stark contrast to prior Trump-era support for these causes.
New York has already turned down federal demand. Additionally, the state resisted a directive to revoke a congestion charging scheme in New York City.
