Trump is setting the US on a path to educational authoritarianism
While we watch students getting handcuffed, vague new guidelines create a culture of fear over teaching our history
On 14 February, the US Department of Education’s office of civil rights issued a letter providing notice to American educational institutions, schools and universities of the department’s new interpretation of federal civil rights law. The letter lays out new conditions for institutions to receive federal funding, including in the form of student loans or scientific and medical research.
Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in federally assisted programs or activities. The education department’s “Dear Colleagues” letter redefines the central targets of Title VI to centrally include supposed discrimination against whites. The letter was followed, on 28 February, with a set of guidelines for its interpretation. The novel understanding of anti-white discrimination in these documents is a chilling manifestation of educational authoritarianism.
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.
a racially-oriented vision of social justice, or similar goals will be probative in OCR’s analysis of the facts and circumstances of an individual case.
Continue reading...-
New lawsuit alleges Education Department's Office for Civil Rights cannot fulfill responsibilities after cuts
A lawsuit filed Friday alleges the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is unable to fulfill its mandated obligations due to the Trump administration's changes as it seeks to ...The Hill - 4d -
US colleges warned of ‘enforcement actions’ over antisemitism allegations
Warning comes after cancellation of $400m in funding to Columbia and detention of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. The US education department’s civil rights office issued warnings on Monday to ...The Guardian - Mar. 11 -
Trump Firings Gut Education Department’s Civil Rights Division
Many of the office’s cases over the decades have served as a catalyst for broader policy change and social reforms.The New York Times - 5d -
'Upsetting': Civil servants across the US part of Department of Education's layoffs
The Department of Education's mass layoffs on Tuesday affected some 1,315 employees -- including civil servants around the country.ABC News - 5d -
Department of Education workforce slashed in half
The Department of Education says more than 2,100 civil service workers will lose their jobs. The department says all of its divisions are impacted by the reduction. NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell ...NBC News - 6d -
What the Education Department layoffs could mean for students with disabilities
The Department of Education cut nearly half its civil rights investigators, which experts say could have a major impact on children with special needs.NBC News - 5d -
Education Department says 60 universities under investigation for antisemitism
The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating 60 universities for antisemitism, according to letters sent on Monday. The department said the 60 institutions are ...The Hill - Mar. 10 -
Obama-era Education secretary warns Trump against shuttering department
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan issued President Trump a warning over plans to shutter the Department of Education, decrying "you break it, you own it." Duncan, in an interview with CNN's ...The Hill - Mar. 8 -
Tribes, Native American students sue over Bureau of Indian Education firings
The lawsuit was filed against the heads of the Interior Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of Indian Education Programs.CBS News - Mar. 8
More from The Guardian
-
Israel shatters Gaza ceasefire as more than 400 Palestinians killed in IDF strikes – Middle East crisis live
Benjamin Netanyahu says attacks were carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’. Israeli strikes kill hundreds in Gaza ...The Guardian - 11m -
‘A nightmare come true’: Palestinians flee again after Israel’s attacks on Gaza
Thousands displaced once more as wave of airstrikes ends ceasefire, killing hundreds and raising new fears about aid. Middle East crisis – live updates Thousands of Palestinians were on the ...The Guardian - 15m -
‘A nightmare come true’: Palestinians flee again after Israel’s attacks on Gaza
Thousands displaced once more as wave of airstrikes ends ceasefire, killing hundreds and raising new fears about aid. Middle East crisis – live updates Thousands of Palestinians were on the ...The Guardian - 15m -
World leaders express outrage at Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza civilians
Strikes said to target Hamas killed hundreds within hours including women and children, undermining ceasefire. Middle East crisis – live updates World governments and UN officials have ...The Guardian - 3h -
Why has Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes on Gaza?
Officials claim attacks will bring release of more hostages, but some suggest political factors at play for Netanyahu. Middle East crisis – live updates Israel has resumed large-scale attacks ...The Guardian - 5h
More in World
-
Live Updates: Israel Carries Out Deadly Strikes in Gaza and Warns of Intensified Attacks
The assaults targeting Hamas killed more than 400 people, local officials said, and were the first major strikes in Gaza since both sides agreed to a truce in January.The New York Times - 4m -
Germany Is Lifting a Foot Off Its ‘Debt Brake.’ Here’s Why.
An incoming government wants to borrow much more to revamp the economy and rebuild the military. That means a change in the country’s Constitution — and its culture.The New York Times - 4m -
Germany Is Lifting a Foot Off Its ‘Debt Brake.’ Here’s Why.
An incoming government wants to borrow much more to revamp the economy and rebuild the military. That means a change in the country’s Constitution — and its culture.The New York Times - 4m -
Germany passes huge spending package amid Ukraine fears as White House says Trump-Putin call ‘going well’ – Europe live
US and Russian presidents speak on phone as Bundestag votes to release a €500bn infrastructure fund to boost German defence. Trump and Putin to hold high-stakes call on Ukraine Speaking for ...The Guardian - 6m -
Benefits crackdown ‘to save £5bn by 2030’, claims Liz Kendall as disability charities say cuts are ‘immoral’ – UK politics live
Work and pensions secretary says one in 10 people of working age are claiming sickness or disability benefit. Q: Why have you changed your mind on this? . Badenoch says she has not changed her ...The Guardian - 7m