Over the past few months, President Donald Trump has issued several Executive Orders designed to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in both public and private sectors. Trump’s executive orders affect businesses nationwide, but what you may have heard about most is the effect on education.
In education, curriculum relating to DEI aims to create an environment where all students feel welcome by celebrating diverse cultures. DEI in hiring practices helps to ensure that teachers or employees of all backgrounds and ethnicities are considered for the role.
According to President Trump, DEI hiring practices favor diversity in race and gender over merit or skill when it comes to choosing a candidate. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, DEI initiatives in hiring are not designed to favor non-white candidates over more qualified candidates, but rather designed to ensure that the hiring process is an even playing field for all candidates.
The executive orders threaten to end federal funding to schools and universities that don’t eliminate all DEI practices schools may have. This would mean dissolving all DEI boards, ending hiring practices having to do with race or sex, removing any mention of DEI on schools’ websites, and cancelling any DEI training – for example, training to ensure that healthcare providers can effectively treat patients of all backgrounds.
According to EL Board of Education member Eric Bauman, “our district will continue to ensure we have an inclusive environment and that everyone has a sense of belonging.”
Many educators worry that the removal of this money could have a large negative impact on schools, especially in low income communities that rely heavily on federal funding. The threat of funding withdrawal could lead some high schools to eliminate their DEI efforts, which could impact heritage celebrations, book lists, and cultural curriculum. Many schools rely on federal funding for nutrition programs, special education programs, and other needs schools may have.
“Our commitment at ELHS is, and always will be, to create a school culture where every student feels they belong, no matter who they are or what they believe. We want students to feel proud of being part of a vibrant and caring community, and we will continue to provide professional development for our teachers and support for our students that reflects that mission. That focus hasn’t changed and won’t,” ELHS principal Henry Kydd said.
Superintendent Jeffrey Newton agreed, “East Lyme will continue to offer a well rounded and outstanding education for all students. We are focused on ensuring everyone has a continued sense of belonging,” he said.
Two of the largest teachers unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have filed lawsuits challenging a letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education which threatened to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that engage in DEI efforts. The unions believe that Trump’s orders impose upon inclusive education and threaten the well-being of students. They argue that the orders limit the ability of educators to foster inclusive classrooms. Several states have also challenged these policies in court. As for colleges, Harvard has become the leading voice in standing against President Trump’s orders. Specifically, Harvard has stated it will not comply with the administration’s demands. The Trump administration has responded by freezing billions of dollars in federal research funding for the university. Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the administration, stating that the government is violating the First Amendment by interfering with academic freedom.
President Trump and supporters of ending DEI see the Executive orders as a positive, as they push to ensure that diversity is not a factor in hiring candidates and that jobs are awarded solely on merit.
“Our job at East Lyme High School is to help students become critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and lifelong learners who are prepared to thrive in any environment, regardless of changing political landscapes… as a public school administrator, I believe firmly in the role of education—particularly our colleges and universities—as spaces that promote free and creative thinking. These institutions should continue to foster the kind of open dialogue, ingenuity, and big ideas that help move our country forward,” Mr. Kydd said.
