Dallas school officials are striking DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) goals from district language, according to online records. A document regulating employment practices was amended on May 2 to remove a section on recruitment and retention through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.<\/p>\n
The eliminated language explained the district\u2019s \u201ccommitment to recruit and assign staff representatives of all racial and ethnic groups.\u201d It laid out goals that included ensuring the district had a culturally diverse staff, honored native cultures and languages, as well as fostered a climate \u201cin which employees accept the diversity of all District employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, a senior district official\u2019s title was changed to eliminate a reference to racial equity work. The district\u2019s webpage for its Racial Equity Office now leads to an error message. That site had published metrics tracking DISD\u2019s progress in providing academic opportunities to Black students and children learning English, among other benchmarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cDallas ISD is, and will always remain, committed to closing achievement gaps and ensuring that students who need additional instruction and resources receive that,\u201d trustee president Joe Carre\u00f3n said.<\/p>\n
The school board did not vote on the change. DISD administrators made the decisions in the wake of recent orders by President Donald Trump and momentum in the Texas Legislature to \u201cban DEI\u201d in public schools.<\/p>\n
DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said she believes the district can both be in compliance with federal law and continue its equity work, which she added is conducted legally. As a condition for receiving federal money, the Trump administration in April ordered K-12 schools to certify they are ending any discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Federal officials have yet to strictly define what work is impermissible.<\/p>\n
The directive is tied up in court after more than a dozen states sued. \u201cDiversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are legal efforts that help students feel safe, supported and respected. The Trump administration\u2019s threats to withhold critical education funding due to the use of these initiatives are not only unlawful, but harmful to our children, families, and schools,\u201d Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said of the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
In Texas, Republican state leaders are in lockstep with the White House. \u201cLast session, we banned DEI in higher education and cut funding for any DEI positions. This session we will ban DEI in K-12 grades & cut funding,\u201d Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X earlier this year. \u201cNo taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
State lawmakers on Tuesday debated Senate Bill 12, which would prohibit schools from implementing hiring practices that consider race and allowing \u201cdifferential treatment of or providing special benefits\u201d to people based on their race or ethnicity.<\/p>\n
Education advocates are concerned about the way the Trump administration\u2019s efforts, combined with bills in the Legislature, could impact this kind of work in Texas schools. \u201cDiversity, equity and inclusion policies are not about favoritism,\u201d said Antonio Ingram, senior counsel with the Legal Defense Fund. \u201cThese policies are about remediation and mitigation of legacies of racial bias and discrimination, which still persist in Texas schools today.\u201d<\/p>\n
A recent survey from EdWeek Research Center found that roughly 5% of educators and school system leaders said their district\u2019s emphasis on programs incorporating DEI stopped after Trump took office. Another 10% said the focus decreased.<\/p>\n
The removal of DEI goals from the Dallas school district language is a significant development in the ongoing debate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools. While the district has stated its commitment to continuing equity work, the changes to district policies and the federal and state efforts to cut DEI efforts have raised concerns among education advocates. The impact of these changes on Texas schools and students remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
Q: What does DEI stand for?<\/p>\n
A: DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.<\/p>\n
Q: Why are DEI goals being removed from the Dallas school district language?<\/p>\n
A: The removal of DEI goals is in response to recent orders by President Donald Trump and momentum in the Texas Legislature to \u201cban DEI\u201d in public schools.<\/p>\n
Q: What are the concerns about the removal of DEI goals?<\/p>\n
A: Education advocates are concerned that the removal of DEI goals will impact the district\u2019s ability to address disparities between racial groups and provide support to underperforming students.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the impact of the federal and state efforts to cut DEI efforts on Texas schools?<\/p>\n
A: The impact of the federal and state efforts to cut DEI efforts on Texas schools is still unclear, but education advocates are concerned that it will harm students and limit the district\u2019s ability to provide equitable education.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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