The US Department of Education announced today (September 25) that it will freeze over 65 million dollars in federal funding for the school districts of New York, Chicago, and Fairfax County, Virginia. This action comes as these schools have refused to modify their policies related to transgender students and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
In a notice issued on September 16, the Department of Education requested the three locations to make adjustments within a week or risk losing funding from the “Magnet Schools Assistance Program” for the next three years. This funding was originally intended to promote school diversity and reduce racial disparities. However, up to today, the three locations have not budged, prompting the Department of Education to announce the suspension of aid.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Julie Hartman, stated that the government will not continue funding schools that “publicly discriminate against students based on race and gender.” She emphasized that these are public schools funded by American families, and parents have the right to expect quality education rather than ideological indoctrination.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed concerns at a press conference the day after the schools received the letter from the Department of Education. He expressed doubts about the safety of allowing boys and girls to use the same facilities simultaneously. This marks the first time since taking office in 2022 that Mayor Adams has questioned gender policies within the city. The New York City Department of Education warned that the funding cuts may affect 8,500 students, potentially leading to the cancellation of some programs. The Mayor’s Office stated that legal action is being considered.
In Chicago, the Department of Education demanded the district to cancel a “Black Student Success Plan.” The plan aimed to double the number of Black male teachers by 2029 and increase access for more Black students to advanced courses. The Department of Education believes that this measure disproportionately allocates resources to specific groups, violating federal laws.
Fairfax County in Virginia was also singled out by the Department of Education. They specifically targeted the school district’s policy allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity, deeming it a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments. This law prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded educational institutions.
Fairfax County has over 180,000 students, including the renowned Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Earlier this spring, the school came under scrutiny for its admission policies, with external critics alleging unfair treatment towards Asian American students.
This development underscores the ongoing controversy regarding diversity and inclusion policies in schools across the nation.