Education Dept. Orders End to DEI Programs

The U.S. Department of Education has issued a directive to educational institutions to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within two weeks, threatening a loss of federal funding for non-compliance. This follows the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which deemed race-conscious admissions practices unlawful. The department has also canceled $600 million in grants for DEI-related teacher training, aligning with the Trump administration's broader initiative to eliminate what it views as 'divisive ideologies' from federal programs. Critics argue this will negatively impact historically marginalized groups, while proponents claim it ensures equal treatment under the law. The decision is likely to face legal challenges, reflecting ongoing national debates over race and equity in education.