The U.S. Department of Education has made a significant move, cutting over $600 million in grants aimed at teacher training programs that the agency has labeled as excessively focused on race and using “divisive ideologies.” In a recent announcement, the department pointed out that these funds supported various initiatives centered around issues like critical race theory, equity, and social justice.
These terminated grants were tied to programs which the Education Department claimed included asking educators to address “inappropriate and unnecessary topics” including concepts related to white privilege and white supremacy. A few programs also emphasized recruitment and staffing strategies that were race-based.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday it cut over $600 million in grants spent on training teachers in “social justice activism,” critical race theory, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology.
The grants were used to fund institutions and nonprofits…
— American Thinker (@AmericanThinker) February 19, 2025
One example highlighted by the Department involved teacher training that encouraged participants to take responsibility for systemic inequalities, while another aimed to prepare educators for discussions on various forms of oppression, including racism and ageism.
According to Savannah Newhouse, a spokesperson for the Education Department, the objective behind these budget cuts is straightforward: ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. She explained, “As The Nation’s Report Card indicated, America’s students are falling dangerously behind in math and reading. Teacher prep programs should be prioritizing training that prepares youth with the fundamentals they need to succeed for the future, not wasting valuable training resources on divisive ideologies.”
Critics of these initiatives have also voiced strong sentiments. Erika Sanzi, who directs outreach for the conservative group Parents Defending Education, characterized certain teacher training programs as radical and counterproductive, arguing that they require educators to confront their race in professional settings while promoting teaching methodologies that offer equal outcomes rather than acknowledging individual efforts.
The cuts come on the heels of a stern warning from the Department’s Office of Civil Rights. In a letter sent to academic institutions benefiting from federal funding, Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, cautioned that institutions could face a withdrawal of federal support if they did not dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within a specified timeframe. Trainor stressed that any practice treating students differently based on race violates established legal precedents.
This directive follows the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding race-based college admissions, which has prompted the Department to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes illegal discrimination in educational settings.
Trainor’s correspondence underscored the Department’s commitment to a non-discriminatory learning environment, stating, “All students are entitled to a school environment free from discrimination. The Department is committed to ensuring those principles are a reality.” The stance has drawn contrasting opinions, with education advocacy groups cautioning against the ramifications of such cuts, emphasizing that discussions about race are essential and any attempts to silence these discussions could infringe on federal laws including First Amendment rights.
In the current political landscape, President Trump has announced intentions to dismantle the Education Department itself, advocating for state-level control over educational funding. This has dovetailed with efforts to expand school choice initiatives, driven by recent assessments indicating a concerning trend in students’ academic performance. “Parents want and deserve the best education for their children. But too many children do not thrive in their assigned, government-run K-12 schools,” his executive order lamented, pointing to alarming stats about youth proficiency in reading and math.
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