On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a “Dear Colleague” Letter (DCL) and emailed it to K-12 public educational institutions around the country, including all of the olentangy schools. In short, the letter warned public schools that the continuation of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) programs and policies in school settings could result in the OCR cutting the federal funding of said schools.
The letter explained how in recent years certain races of people have been discriminated against in school situations, specifically “White and Asian students, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.” The letter went on to accuse DEI programs in public schools of teaching children that America employs “systemic racism”, which is the reason why many schools have DEI policies. The OCR claims that DEI programs allow certain students more opportunities and favor over others based on race, color, or gender.
DEI programs in public schools were initially created to give all students equal opportunities by creating communities of students that may be in the minority (or otherwise not as able to make their own opportunities). The OCR is now claiming that these programs- which are intended to promote equality- are now making additional opportunities for groups seen as the minority. Essentially the letter argues that the “minority” has now become the group which is favored.
The letter doesn’t specifically define what is classified as a DEI program beyond “an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race”. This definition of DEI is vague and subjective, so it’s not clear if this new policy would affect any programs here at liberty.
Despite the lack of a clear definition of DEI, the letter states that if schools do not comply, federal funding for those schools may be cut. Federal funding accounts for an average of 13.7% of the total budget for public schools across America- a cut by that much would have substantial effects on schools.
However, since the new policy is not a law, it cannot be forced on public schools- it’s left up to each individual district to decide whether or not they will comply with the letter’s order. It’s not yet known if Liberty will comply or if this policy would change any of the schools programs or policies.
