Education Department Diversity Training Under Scrutiny: A Shift in Priorities
The approach to diversity training within the Education Department has undergone significant changes, reflecting evolving political priorities. This article examines the trajectory of these programs, from their promotion during the Trump administration's first term to their subsequent dismantling and the repercussions for participating employees.
From Encouragement to Administrative Leave: A Sudden Reversal
Dozens of employees who participated in diversity training courses encouraged by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during President Donald Trump's first administration have been placed on paid leave. According to Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, at least 55 employees had been placed on leave. The affected workers included a public affairs specialist, civil rights attorneys, program manager analysts, loan regulators and employees working to ensure schools accommodate special needs children with individualized education programs.
This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout the federal government. A letter to the affected employees stated they would continue to receive their full salaries and benefits but would not be required or expected to do any work-related tasks or to come into the office during the leave.
Smith expressed concern that the administration was "entrapping people," as they were encouraged to take these trainings and now those trainings are being used as a basis to put them on administrative leave. She also voiced fears that Trump, who has expressed a desire to eliminate the Education Department, hopes "employees will eliminate themselves." Smith described the situation as "shock and awe," suggesting the administration is trying to make employees feel like they will soon be fired while also enticing them with an offer to pay them eight months' salary if they resign.
Brittany Holder, a spokeswoman for the American Federation of Government Employees, also believes hundreds of employees attended the Diversity Change Agent trainings.
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The Diversity Change Agent Program: Cultivating Role Models
The Diversity Change Agent Program was designed to equip staff with skills in leading a diverse workforce. Graduates of this course were expected to serve as role models, dedicating some of their official duty time to activities aimed at improving the Education Department's capacity to attract and retain a diverse workforce. The program emphasized that participants' positive actions would be the catalyst in achieving the Education Department's diversity and inclusion objectives.
Subodh Chandra, a civil rights lawyer representing one of the employees placed on paid leave in the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, highlighted the irony of the situation. His client, a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and former prosecutor, was appointed to the employment, engagement, diversity and inclusion council formed during Trump's first term by his political appointees Kimberly Richey and Kenneth Marcus. Chandra emphasized that his client did nothing to violate any executive order and was merely a member of an inactive committee on which he was appointed by Trump's own political appointees from the first term.
According to Smith and Holder, dozens of workers at the departments of Education and Energy who did not specifically work in diversity, equity and inclusion roles have been placed on paid leave. Holder stated that the union believes that there were only two employees in specific DEIA roles at the Education Department and that both of them were placed on leave within days of Trump taking office. She added that only three of the employees had titles specifically related to diversity and inclusion positions and that the others had jobs that included tasks like encouraging veterans to work for the Energy Department, as well as working with employee survey data to make workplaces better. Many of the positions were part of the "culture office," but most did not work on DEIA programs. Holder noted that "people are worried they are going to lose their jobs."
Executive Orders and Policy Shifts: Dismantling DEI Initiatives
The shift in the Education Department's approach to diversity training is directly linked to President Trump's executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives across the federal government. These orders reflect a broader effort to eliminate what the administration views as "divisive ideologies" and to prioritize "meaningful learning" over DEI in schools.
In line with these directives, the Department of Education announced it has terminated over $600 million in grants to institutions and nonprofits that were using taxpayer funds to train teachers and education agencies on divisive ideologies, including Critical Race Theory; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); social justice activism; "anti-racism"; and instruction on white privilege and white supremacy. Additionally, many of these grants included teacher and staff recruiting strategies implicitly and explicitly based on race.
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The Department of Education has taken action to eliminate harmful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including references to them in public-facing communication channels and its associated workforce. Following President Trump's recent Executive Orders and initial guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department removed or archived hundreds of guidance documents, reports, and training materials that include mentions of DEI from its outward facing communication channels. The Department also put employees charged with leading DEI initiatives on paid administrative leave. These review efforts will continue as the Department works to end discrimination based on race and the use of harmful race stereotypes, both within the agency and throughout America's education system.
Notable actions the Department has taken include the dissolution of the Department's Diversity & Inclusion Council, which was established following Executive Order 13583 under then - President Obama. President Trump has rescinded the Executive Orders that guide the Council and issued a new Executive Order, "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," that terminates groups like the Diversity & Inclusion Council.
Concerns and Criticisms: The Impact on Public Education
The Trump administration's actions have drawn criticism from educators, civil rights advocates, and union representatives, who express concerns about the potential impact on public education and the ability of schools to serve diverse student populations. Critics argue that eliminating DEI programs and restricting discussions about race and equity will harm students and perpetuate systemic inequalities.
Some view the administration's policies as an attempt to undermine public schools and promote alternative educational models, such as charter schools and private schools. These concerns are amplified by the appointment of individuals with a history of advocating for school choice and privatization to key positions within the Education Department.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is part of a lawsuit aimed at blocking the department's recent civil rights guidelines. Randi Weingarten, the AFT's president, stated that the president is trying to bully the very same school districts that he insisted should be in charge of education, by wielding a cudgel of billions in federal aid to tens of millions of children, of all races and ethnicities, to force educators to kowtow to his politics and ideology.
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Educators also worry that the removal of Title I money could have significant impacts, especially to rural and low income communities that rely heavily on federal funding.
The Broader Context: Political and Ideological Influences
The Education Department's actions are part of a broader political and ideological battle over the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and society. Conservative groups and activists have increasingly targeted DEI programs, arguing that they promote divisive ideologies and discriminate against certain groups.
Organizations like Moms for Liberty and the American First Policy Institute (AFPI) have played a significant role in shaping the administration's education policies. These groups advocate for school vouchers, parental rights, and the removal of DEI initiatives from schools.
Employee Perspectives: Confusion and Uncertainty
Department of Education employees placed on administrative leave have expressed confusion and uncertainty about the reasons for the action. Some believe the only common thread among them is that they attended a voluntary training called the "Diversity Change-Agent Training Program." The letter states that the administrative leave notice is not for disciplinary purposes.
Employees will receive full pay and benefits through the end of the administrative leave and are not required to do work-related tasks during this time, nor are they required to come into the office.
One attorney who works for the department in Washington, D.C., said they were put on leave from their "dream job." The employee has two children and received the notice after putting them to bed on Friday night. The person said Friday was tough and the news was shocking to receive, but now they're feeling "different levels" of sadness.
The employees on leave said they have no official DEI responsibilities in their roles.
Legal and Civil Rights Considerations: Ensuring Equal Opportunity
Critics of the Trump administration's policies argue that they undermine civil rights laws and create barriers to equal opportunity. They emphasize that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are essential for ensuring that all students and employees have a fair chance to succeed.
The EOs do not change the reality that the American Dream is not equally available to all. In 2023, the Department of Education reported that it received the most civil rights complaints in its history, most of which allege race, sex, or disability discrimination. Programs that increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are not quotas, which are illegal. Instead, they are strategies to equalize opportunities for groups of people who are unfairly disadvantaged, such as: engaging in broader outreach and recruitment measures to expand a college applicant pool; adopting a policy to only focus on necessary skills and qualifications in hiring; providing training to ensure that healthcare providers can effectively treat patients of all backgrounds; among others.
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