Virginia, Ohio, Arizona, Illinois Schools Face DEI Funding Threats

Virginia schools face a deadline of April 24 to confirm they are not engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices to avoid losing federal Title I funding, which is crucial for districts with high poverty levels. Critics argue this move could harm low-income students, as DEI programs are legal and beneficial for fostering inclusivity. In Ohio, a budget proposal threatens private universities that do not ban DEI programs by restricting access to the Governor's Merit Scholarship, which could lead to a loss of top students to public institutions. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the U.S. Department of Justice has forced three universities to suspend a minority-only scholarship program after deeming it unconstitutional for discriminating based on race. This aligns with a recent Supreme Court ruling that prohibits race-based eligibility in higher education. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the DOJ's commitment to eliminating DEI practices from educational institutions across the country.