The eclipse of education: $600M in wasteful DEI grants scrapped

By willowt // 2025-02-19

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The U.S. Department of Education has canceled grants worth $600 million, primarily focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) programs in teacher training.
Critics argue these programs promote divisive ideologies and unproven teaching methods, rather than fostering a balanced and merit-based educational environment.
The Education Department highlighted specific examples, including programs that required teachers to take personal responsibility for systemic inequities and those promoting "abolitionist pedagogies."
The decision has received approval from conservative groups and parents who see it as a step towards curbing left-wing ideologies in public education.
This move is part of a larger initiative by the Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate wasteful federal spending, signaling a shift towards fiscal responsibility in educational policy.

In a bold move that has sent ripples through the educational establishment, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has canceled over $600 million in federal grants earmarked for teacher training programs. The announcement, made on Monday, underscores a growing bipartisan concern over the proliferation of divisive and ideologically driven initiatives within the realm of education. The terminated grants, which were primarily focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Critical Race Theory (CRT), have long been a source of controversy, with critics arguing that they serve to indoctrinate rather than educate.

A fiscal and ideological overhaul

ED's decision to terminate these grants is the latest in a series of actions aimed at curbing what many conservatives view as the relentless push of left-wing ideologies into public schools. According to the department, these programs were using taxpayer dollars to promote "divisive ideologies" and "unproven pedagogical methods" that exacerbate rather than bridge societal divides. “The American people deserve an education system that focuses on excellence, merit and the core competencies necessary for a thriving democracy, not one that prioritizes identity politics and social justice activism,” said U.S. Secretary of Education, John Williams, in a press release. “These grants were not only a waste of taxpayer money but a threat to the foundational principles of our educational system.”

Examples of wasteful and divisive programs

The ED provided several examples of the canceled grant applications, which highlight the extent to which left-wing ideologies had permeated teacher training programs:

Dismantling racial bias: One program required educators to “take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities,” including addressing issues of racism and “white privilege.” This approach, critics argue, fosters a victim mentality and undermines the principle of individual responsibility.
Culturally relevant and responsive teaching: Another grant application proposed training teachers in “abolitionist pedagogies,” which advocate for the dismantling of traditional educational structures in favor of more radical, politically charged methods.
Equity trainings: These workshops, which included topics such as “Building Cultural Competence” and “Centering Equity in the Classroom,” sought to create “spaces” for teachers to confront their biases and engage in “transformative conversations about equity.” Critics argue that such programs are more about political indoctrination than professional development.

A broad coalition of critics

The ED's decision has been met with widespread approval from conservative groups and parents who have long been vocal about their concerns. Erika Sanzi, Director of Outreach at Parents Defending Education (PDE), expressed her strong support for the move: “It’s hard to overstate how radical these teacher trainings are. We are talking about forcing teachers to talk about their race at work, asking educators to ‘take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities,’ promoting abolitionist teaching practices, and defining equity as equal outcomes,” Sanzi said. “And not for nothing, but all we see are declining outcomes for the students that these trainings purport to help most.” Sanzi's comments echo a broader sentiment among conservatives that these programs are not only ideologically driven but also ineffective. Despite the millions of dollars poured into these initiatives, academic performance and student outcomes have continued to decline, particularly in underprivileged communities that were supposed to benefit the most from these programs.

A historical context: From civil rights to ideological overreach

The push for DEI and CRT in education is rooted in the civil rights movements of the 1960s, which sought to address systemic racism and inequality in American institutions. However, what began as a noble effort has, according to critics, morphed into an ideological overreach that prioritizes identity politics over educational outcomes. The turning point came in 2020, following the nationwide protests and civil unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd. In the wake of these events, many institutions, including schools, rushed to implement DEI programs as a means of demonstrating their commitment to social justice. However, the rapid and often unvetted implementation of these programs has led to concerns about their effectiveness and the potential for indoctrination. The Supreme Court's 2023 decision to ban race-based college admissions criteria under the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause marked a significant legal setback for DEI initiatives. This ruling, combined with growing public scrutiny and political pressure, has paved the way for the current backlash against these programs.

The broader impact: A shift in educational priorities

The ED's move to cut these grants is part of a larger initiative led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of Elon Musk, to eliminate wasteful federal spending. DOGE has already announced the termination of nearly $1 billion in contracts across various government departments, signaling a shift towards fiscal responsibility and a reevaluation of federal priorities. This shift is not limited to the federal level. States with Republican-controlled legislatures, such as Wisconsin, have also taken steps to curtail DEI programs. In June 2023, Republican legislators in Wisconsin voted to cut $32 million from the University of Wisconsin's budget, citing DEI initiatives as a primary reason for the cuts.

A new era in American education

The cancellation of $600 million in DEI and CRT grants represents a significant victory for those who believe that education should be free from political indoctrination and focused on academic excellence. As the debate over the role of ideology in education continues, the ED's decision sends a clear message that the pendulum is swinging back towards a more balanced and pragmatic approach to educational policy. In an era of fiscal constraint and political polarization, the American public is increasingly demanding accountability and results from its educational institutions. The termination of these grants is a step in the right direction, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used to achieve the ultimate goal of education: preparing students for success in a diverse and rapidly changing world. Sources include: YourNews.com NationalReview.com ed.gov WashingtonExaminer.com