WHIDBEY: School districts instructed to keep DEI policies
Luisa Loi reports from Whidbey Island for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Last week, a wave of confusion and concern that flooded educational institutions around Whidbey and the nation following a letter from the U.S. Department of Education was soon placated by a statement by the state superintendent of public instruction.
On Feb. 14, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, Craig Trainor, sent schools and colleges a “Dear Colleague” letter claiming that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs — also known as “DEI” — are illegal and “morally reprehensible.” …The Department of Education, he wrote, would begin to assess compliance with laws and regulations based on the Department’s current interpretation no later than Feb. 28. Any non-compliant institution could face loss of federal funding.
The “Dear Colleague” letter came two days after the South Whidbey School Board voted to reaffirm its commitment to inclusion and equity, directing all staff to continue following the district policies in place, “reinforcing values of inclusion, safety and respect through restorative practices, advisory periods and open discussions,” limiting immigration enforcement in schools, and supporting all students in expressing their gender identity and participating in activities as they see fit, according to the board resolution.
In another letter sent out to schools on Feb. 20, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal reassured that “Dear Colleague letters do not hold the power of law” and instructed districts not to change existing policies, practices and programs to avoid risking legal consequences for not aligning with state law. The Washington State School Directors’ Association — or WSSDA — also won’t amend its policies or procedures, he wrote.
They Said It
Trainor claimed DEI policies are used in educational institutions to use race as a factor in admissions, hiring, financial aid and training, resulting in the discrimination of white and Asian students regardless of their financial background, and have “indoctrinated” students into believing that the country is built upon systemic and structural racism and that some ethnic groups are more burdened than others.
Reykdal also pointed out that “Washington law has prohibited the discrimination or preferential treatment in public education to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin” since 1998.
Before suspending or terminating the allocation of federal funds to schools, Reykdal wrote, the Department of Education would first need to follow specific steps per federal law. In the meantime, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction remains in touch with the Attorney General’s Office and is considering taking legal action if the government does freeze or remove federal dollars from K-12 institutions, he wrote.
South Whidbey School District Superintendent Jo Moccia wrote in an email she appreciates OSPI, the state and the district for continuing to demonstrate commitment to all students and the work done for them.
Oak Harbor Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula also wrote in an email that the district does not anticipate changes to policies, practices or programs, and that it will continue to follow state and federal laws while students continue to receive “the support and opportunities they need to thrive.”
