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Department of Education: Schools Embracing DEI Will Lose Funding

The Department of Education sent a “Dear Colleague” letter warning states and schools that they must eliminate discriminatory “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) trainings and curriculums and end racial preferences in hiring and admissions – or lose federal education funds.

The letter was sent on February 14 by the DOE’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor and applies “to all preschool, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational institutions, as well as state educational agencies, that receive financial assistance.”

The letter, from the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights, warned, “Institutions that fail to comply with federal civil rights law may, consistent with applicable law, face potential loss of federal funding.”

The letter began with a clear statement, “Discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin is illegal and morally reprehensible.”

Trainor then went on to explain two ways schools have violated federal non-discrimination laws. First, they have done this through “race-based preferences” and second, in using DEI in teacher training and classroom instruction.

Regarding race-based preferences, Trainor’s letter explained:

In recent years, American educational institutions have discriminated against students on the basis of race, including white and Asian students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income families. These institutions’ embrace of pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences and other forms of racial discrimination have emanated throughout every facet of academia.
 
For example, colleges, universities, and K-12 schools have routinely used race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming.

The DOE also noted, “In a shameful echo of a darker period in this country’s history, many American schools and universities even encourage segregation by race at graduation ceremonies and in dormitories and other facilities.”

The letter explained that the U.S. Supreme Court, in its 2023 decision Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College, found race-based preferences in college admissions unconstitutional.

Trainor wrote that the test for this discrimination is simple:

If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law. Federal law thus prohibits covered entities from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.

The civil rights letter also told state departments of education and schools that DEI programs violated students constitutional rights:

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. Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them – particularly during the last four years – under the banner of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline. 

DEI is based on radical concepts from critical race theory and radical feminist ideology, beliefs rooted in Marxist- and Freudian-based critical legal theory. When used in schools, DEI teaches staff and students:

  • Everyone is racist and misogynist.
  • People have overlapping identities which make them “oppressed” or an “oppressor.”
  • “Gender” is one of those identities, and it is a “social construct.”
  • “Anti-racism,” LGBT activism and radical feminist action must be employed to fight this systemic bigotry. 

As the letter explained, “DEI programs … frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not.” As a result, the letter stated, these programs “deny students the ability to participate fully in the life of a school.”

The Dear Colleague letter followed an executive order from President Donald Trump, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling.” The order indicted false, divisive ideologies like critical race theory and gender ideology, explaining their negative effects on students.

Another executive order directed different agency heads to “coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.”

While most K-12 education is funded by state and local governments, the DOE provides support for a variety of areas, including personnel, curriculums, technology and special education programs. According to the Education Data Initiative, “K-12 schools nationwide receive $119.1 billion total or $2,400 per pupil from the federal government.”

The DOE also offers grants for college students, such as Pell Grants, to the tune of $44.3 billion in 2023-2024.

The letter offered a link to the DOE Office of Civil Rights where individuals can file complaints against schools that continue to discriminate through racial preferences and DEI training, programs and curriculums.

Related articles and resources:

Focus on the Family’s free parenting resource Equipping Parents for Back to School explains issues like educational freedom, parental rights in education, critical race theory, sexual education, and religious freedom and free speech in schools. It’s a terrific resource for parents who want to advocate for their children and guide them toward academic success.

BLM at School Week – Indoctrinating and Training Radical Activist Children

Department of Education Blew $1 Billion on DEI – Here’s Why It Matters

Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Dear Colleague Letter

Is ‘Critical Race Theory’ Being Taught in Public Schools? CRT Deniers Claim it Isn’t

President Trump Ends Radical DEI Programs, Fires All DEI Personnel

Trump Ends Radical Indoctrination, Promotes Education Freedom

What’s Happening in Schools? Why We Need Educational Freedom

RFK, Jr. is Right: ‘We’re in a Spiritual Crisis’

Speaking at the White House following his confirmation and swearing-in as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. struck a powerful and poignant note as he looked both back and then ahead to his tenure at the agency. 

“For 20 years, I’ve gotten up every morning on my knees and prayed that God would put me in a position where I can end the childhood chronic disease epidemic in this country,” Kennedy said. 

The new secretary of HHS was referencing a turning point in his life, a spiritual transformation where he tackled various addictions threatening to spiral out-of-control.

Previously describing these eye-opening events in his life at a “Socrates in the City” event hosted by Eric Metaxas, RFK, Jr. said he “had to change at a deep, fundamental way [and] … I knew that was going to require a spiritual awakening.”

But he added, “After you have a spiritual awakening — you can’t live off the laurels of the spiritual awakening. You have to renew it every day. … You have to renew it by staying in that posture of surrender.”

At times, that “posture” has placed. Kennedy at odds with prevailing wisdom and societal norms. During the campaign, he pledged to “Make America Healthy Again” by examining and evaluating the safety of our food supply and even challenging those who believe pharmaceuticals should serve as our first line of defense against disease.

But talking with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham after Thursday’s events, RFK, Jr. suggested that food and exercise are only part of the problem and solution. 

“We’re not just in a health crisis, but we’re in a spiritual crisis. And those things are connected. We have a whole generation of kids that feel alienated, dispossessed. They are in an existential crisis, and not only because of their health. There’s a purposelessness in their lives, and sense of uselessness and ineffectiveness.”

Kennedy’s concerns and observations are confirmed by the devastating data surrounding mental health in America.

Over 36% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 and nearly 30% of those between ages 26 and 49 report having some form of mental illness. Rates of depression and suicide have skyrocketed across the nation.

It would be an easy fix if all that were needed would be a better diet with fewer chemicals, preservatives and food dyes. If only the listlessness could be solved by drinking more water and exercising on a daily basis.

To be sure, our physical health has a significant impact on our emotional and spiritual wellness or lack thereof. Speaking from the Oval Office, Kennedy made an insightful observation when he said, “A healthy person has 1,000 dreams. A sick person only has one.”

But by delving into the spiritual, Kennedy is drilling down to a foundational truth. Our spiritual disciplines are critical to enjoying a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful existence.

Classic Christian disciplines include prayer, Bible reading, study, personal and corporate worship, fellowship, giving back and serving others.

It was the apostle Paul who warned, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:7).

Recognizing that we weren’t built for this world but rather for the next is a truth that helps us endure and manage whatever challenges that come our way.

To be sure, Kennedy holds some personal positions that do not square with the beliefs of many evangelical Christians. He has pledged to carry out the pro-life policies of the Trump Administration yet has previously expressed support for abortion. It’s not entirely clear where he lands on some other theological questions

America is in a spiritual crisis because so few people are believing and accepting the liberating truth and peace that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Kennedy seems to recognize that no political, economic or even health related solution will cure our spiritual woes. He is right.

Image from Getty.

Linda McMahon: ‘Listen to Parents, not Politicians’

Testifying on Thursday morning before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to confirm her nomination as Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon laid out a blunt agenda to reform the embattled agency.

“So what’s the remedy?” she asked rhetorically. “Fund education freedom, not government-run systems. Listen to parents, not politicians. Build up careers, not college debt. Empower states, not special interests. Invest in teachers, not Washington bureaucrats.”

How refreshing.

McMahon’s directives are sorely needed in various states, especially New York and Colorado.

Concerned parents in the upstate New York Penfield school district were shut down at a school board meeting this week after expressing concern over a perverted book being used with children as young as five years of age.

The book at the center of the controversy was “The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies.”

The illustrated book contains drawings of naked people, so-called “furries,” and even two people wearing leather “bondage” attire.

One father, John Feathers, rose and addressed the board.

“If you think that that’s appropriate for children to see, then there’s something wrong with you,” he said. “You need to have a mental evaluation. There’s no reason that should be in the schools whatsoever at all. You can see the guy’s butt is clearly out.”

How did the board respond to the outraged mothers and fathers?

Instead of giving the parents a hearing and pledging to investigate, the board dug their heels in and began lecturing those gathered on how to officially file complaints.

“It’s our board meeting,” said one parent. “We pay you!” shouted another.

The board then proceeded to abruptly adjourn the meeting, magnifying the agitation of the already fuming parents.

More public school dysfunction?

Here in Colorado, school officials in Jefferson County are apologizing to the parents of a 17-year-old female student who was groomed by a female teacher – with the help of other instructors.

Social studies teacher Leann Kearney at Columbine High School became physically involved with the student. Fellow teachers at the school helped the young woman falsify a federal form declaring herself homeless so that she could move in with Kearney.

Making a bad situation even worse, officials hid the wickedness including the falsification of the paperwork from the student’s parents. When the student turned 18, the two individuals moved out of the state.

In a statement, the Jeffco School District acknowledged the heinous offense:

Obviously, the student did not meet the criteria to be considered homeless and the staff involved in this isolated incident were addressed as part of the investigation as the proper channels in place were not followed.

While we have taken every step to remove this former employee from Jeffco and prevent her from working in another educational setting… we recognize this is of little comfort to the family…. we deeply regret how profoundly this violation has affected their family.

Of course, not every public school in America is riff with this type of deliberate deviance, but it’s this flavor of destructive dysfunction that’s leading many mothers and fathers to seek alternative education options for their children.

Instead of collaborating and cooperating with parents, far too many schools are currently engaged in open combat with the very people whose taxes are paying their salaries.

It’s no wonder that homeschooling is the fastest-growing form of education in the United States, expanding at between 2% and 8% annually. It’s now estimated that over 3 million American children are being taught at home in 2025.

Parents in the Penfield and Jeffco school districts are justifiably incensed and demanding officials clean house and reform the corrupt and perverted systems. It won’t be easy. They and countless other moms and dads need prayer, wisdom, and creative and innovative energy to help transform a broken public education system that is currently on life support.

There is No Constitutional Crisis

Years ago, the late radio talk legend Rush Limbaugh exposed the mainstream media’s penchant for coordinated messaging by stringing together soundbites echoing the same word or phrase uttered by dozens of national hosts concerning a particular topic on a specific day.

It was as if a talking points memo had been faxed or emailed from a single source. It very well may have been.

Well, as Ronald Reagan liked to say, “There they go again.”

It’s known as the “Illusory Truth Effect” – the idea that by repeating a lie often enough, people will begin to believe it, and sometimes even the people who are saying it.

The new phrase of the week is “constitutional crisis” and it’s being repeated over and over by liberal pundits upset with a wide range of efforts currently being employed to reform the government.

In fact, #constitutionalcrisis was trending on X Tuesday morning with tens of thousands of references to the phrase.

Leading the charge is The New York Times, which despite its waning influence, remains the source for many radical talking points. In many ways, it’s the left’s bible.

To be sure, since being sworn in on January 20, President Trump has issued hundreds of executive orders and made many decisions that he and his team believe fall within his executive authority.

Garnering particular attention and significant angst from numerous camps has been the President’s efforts to cut government waste and uncover potential corruption. It’s all being led by Elon Musk and housed under the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

With a federal debt of $36 trillion and climbing, and a desire to cut $1 billion a day from the current budget, officials are eager to expose any improper use of American taxpayer dollars.

Last week, Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa released information on some of the ways our money is being spent through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“From funneling tax dollars to risky research in Wuhan to sending Ukrainians to Paris Fashion Week, USAID is one of the worst offenders of waste in Washington… all around the world,” Ernst posted on X.

Some of the examples include $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Columbia, $32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru, $1.5 million for a DEI program in Serbia, $20 million to Iraq to fund the expansion of the Sesame Street children’s public television program.

By labeling these executive actions and investigations a “constitutional crisis,” critics are obviously hoping to swing public opinion. The latest polling finds that a majority of Americans favor efforts to uncover waste and corruption.

The scope of President Trump’s authority – or any chief executive’s power – is a hotly debated topic of conversation, and especially when the Oval Office occupant expresses interest in an ambitious agenda.

When it comes to interpreting the president’s jurisdiction, judges can often come to different conclusions.

But is it a crisis?

In their inspired wisdom, our Founding Fathers created a government that consists of three branches – the executive, legislative and judicial. In short, it’s the “separation of powers” and was designed to make sure that no one person or body has too much power.

Labeling the current debate a “constitutional crisis” is a deliberate attempt to escalate and inflame what is a common and ongoing conversation.

Given the current context, Merriam-Webster defines a crisis as an “unstable” moment. In reality, all three branches of government are currently operating peacefully. The only thing “unstable” would be those critics looking to incite protest in the streets or worse. And the only crisis that’s ongoing is giving money Americans don’t have to people and efforts that are contrary to our nation’s founding values and morals.

As Christians, we must continue praying for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4), take a big deep breath (Phil. 4:6), and trust that our ultimate fate is in His will and His ways (Col. 1:16-17).

Image from Getty.

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy Officially Favors Marriage and Fertility in Federal Policy

Newly-seated Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy has already gotten busy improving his department, and America by ensuring the nation’s traffic policy protects and promotes families.

A new order issued by Secretary Duffy requires all DOT policies, programs and activities, as much as possible, to be determined and executed relative to their “benefits for families and communities.”

To this end, Secretary Duffy declares DOT “shall prioritize projects and goals” focusing on helping “families and family-specific difficulties, such as the accessibility of transportation to families with young children, and give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average [emphasis added].”

This is a profoundly wise federal policy development that Focus on the Family strongly supports.

Communities with higher than average marriage and birth rates are clearly some of the strongest communities in our nation because they are more likely to capitalize on the protective and life-enhancing benefits of marriage. Decades of university-based social science and medical research consistently demonstrate that children benefit in every important measure of well-being when they are born to and raised by their own married mother and father.

Growing, healthy, thriving children are the future of our nation.

For any country to grow, its citizens must have enough babies to boost that nation over basic replacement level of 2.1 children per family. The U.S. has fallen under this important marker, to 1.7 births per woman.

Economists demonstrate this decline has been particularly dramatic in the last two decades.

Simply put, America cannot sustain itself with this level of natality without aggressively importing citizens from other nations. The world has already passed what demographers call “peak child” – a truly ominous milestone where fewer and fewer babies will be born each and every year.

So this is extremely wise national policy incentivizing marriage and married fertility. The Institute for Family Studies has explained, in great detail, many of the compelling reasons why such policies like the DOT’s will benefit families and the nation.

Brad Wilcox of the University of Virginia, one of the world’s leading sociologists of marriage and family, explains, “Secretary Duffy’s move … is a very big deal.”

He notes “we don’t typically think of DOT spending as family policy, but it is.” This is because,

DOT transportation spending has often been directed toward large, urban transportation projects that end up favoring denser and more urban communities. From a family-friendly perspective, the problem is that such denser development is associated with lower family formation — less marriage and fewer children.

Professor Wilcox adds,

Insofar as Duffy’s policy prioritizes communities with higher marriage and birth rates, it is likely to reorient transportation dollars to lower-density communities where there are more single-family homes, family life is often more affordable, and family formation is higher.

The Secretary’s order also states that “DOT shall ensure comprehensive public engagement … with families” and other vital community stakeholders. This is more productive than attacking and becoming suspicious of concerned parents as we saw in the previous Presidential administration.


Let us hope that more heads of federal departments follow Secretary Duffy’s wise and bold approach to make it easier for married mother and fathers to build and maintain every nation’s greatest resource: families.

Image from Getty.