Pennsylvania's education department advises schools to continue promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion despite changes under the Trump administration.
Nearly 10% of Philadelphia's school district budget, totaling over $4.5 billion, is provided by federal education support.
April 10th 2025.
A recent memo from Pennsylvania officials has stirred up controversy regarding President Donald Trump's anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) executive orders. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the memo stated that while the state will comply with the orders, school districts do not need to make any changes to their current DEI practices. The reasoning behind this decision is the claim that there are no federal or state laws that prohibit such efforts.
Carrie Rowe, the acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, clarified that the state's DEI initiatives do not violate any laws. This statement comes in response to the U.S. Department of Education's warning that certain DEI practices may go against federal law, and that federal funding, including Title I funds, could be pulled from the state. Angela Fitterer, the state's Executive Deputy Secretary of Education, backed Rowe's statement in a letter, emphasizing that the department is committed to upholding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, national origin, or shared ancestry in federally funded programs.
Despite the White House's stern orders, the Pennsylvania DOE remains firm in their stance, refusing to back down. This attitude is shared by other states, such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York, who have all pushed back against the anti-DEI practices. Massachusetts officials have assured the education department that diversity will continue to be promoted in schools, while Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, stated that the agency does not have the authority to overrule Congress. Additionally, New York's Counsel and Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Morton-Bentley, pointed out that the federal agency does not have the legal right to withhold funding and that there are no laws against DEI principles.
However, not all states have taken the same approach. In New Hampshire, a website has been launched to track school districts that fail to comply with the federal directive. This highlights the importance of federal education support, which makes up nearly 10% of Philadelphia's school district's budget, amounting to over $4.5 billion. The district has made anti-racism and DEI initiatives a top priority, under the guidance of Superintendent Tony Watlington. The district has implemented a five-year plan and incorporated DEI practices into their curriculum and professional development strategies.
It is worth noting that Democrat-led states have been particularly vocal in their opposition to the federal government's threats of cutting school funding over DEI. This issue continues to spark debate and remains a contentious topic among various states and educational institutions. As of now, it seems that Pennsylvania and other states are standing their ground and will continue to prioritize DEI efforts in their schools.
Carrie Rowe, the acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, clarified that the state's DEI initiatives do not violate any laws. This statement comes in response to the U.S. Department of Education's warning that certain DEI practices may go against federal law, and that federal funding, including Title I funds, could be pulled from the state. Angela Fitterer, the state's Executive Deputy Secretary of Education, backed Rowe's statement in a letter, emphasizing that the department is committed to upholding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, national origin, or shared ancestry in federally funded programs.
Despite the White House's stern orders, the Pennsylvania DOE remains firm in their stance, refusing to back down. This attitude is shared by other states, such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York, who have all pushed back against the anti-DEI practices. Massachusetts officials have assured the education department that diversity will continue to be promoted in schools, while Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, stated that the agency does not have the authority to overrule Congress. Additionally, New York's Counsel and Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Morton-Bentley, pointed out that the federal agency does not have the legal right to withhold funding and that there are no laws against DEI principles.
However, not all states have taken the same approach. In New Hampshire, a website has been launched to track school districts that fail to comply with the federal directive. This highlights the importance of federal education support, which makes up nearly 10% of Philadelphia's school district's budget, amounting to over $4.5 billion. The district has made anti-racism and DEI initiatives a top priority, under the guidance of Superintendent Tony Watlington. The district has implemented a five-year plan and incorporated DEI practices into their curriculum and professional development strategies.
It is worth noting that Democrat-led states have been particularly vocal in their opposition to the federal government's threats of cutting school funding over DEI. This issue continues to spark debate and remains a contentious topic among various states and educational institutions. As of now, it seems that Pennsylvania and other states are standing their ground and will continue to prioritize DEI efforts in their schools.
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