In a move that claps back at attempts to strip schools of their diversity efforts, New York Attorney General Letitia James, together with a coalition of 14 attorneys general, issued new guidance for educational institutions affirming their ability to foster DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility). This guidance rebuffs recent federal attempts, including an executive order and a DOE "Dear Colleague" letter—an effort that some could say wobbled the very foundations of educational cornerstones dedicated to creating a more inclusive learning environment, as per the New York Attorney General's Office.
According to the guidance, which was a response to concerns from educational entities following the federal government's threatening communications, Attorney General James stated, "The administration cannot ban diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts with a 'Dear Colleague' letter." As reported by the New York Attorney General's Office, schools are firmly within their rights to promote inclusive environments despite the feds' stance. They will not stand alone, as James affirmed, "Schools and educational institutions can rest assured that they are well within their legal rights to continue building inclusive learning environments for their students. My office will always stand up for the rule of law and defend New Yorkers from threats."
The guidance came after the Trump administration's moves to undermine diversity initiatives, trying to twist a U.S. Supreme Court decision to justify their agenda. However, in this fresh beacon of guidance, AGs made it crystal clear that such executive orders and DOE letters cannot simply rewrite the law to suit an administration's narrative. Far from it, higher education institutions retain the prerogative to seek out diverse student bodies and strive for equitable student outcomes. Echoing parts of the guidance, schools can legally diversify their applicant pools through various recruitment efforts without giving undue preference based on race.
The attorneys general are throwing their weight behind the notion that all should be welcome, safe, and respected in K -12 classrooms. They're championing a school climate that bolsters every young learner and are outlining steps to ensure that schools keep pushing the pedal on anti-discrimination and civil rights. One such step includes tailoring programs and policies that really sing to the needs of their communities. As AG James and her coalition cohorts suggest, schools should continuously review current practices for compliance with anti-discrimination statutes and adopt the best practices to fit their district's community fabric, as detailed by the Attorney General's Office.
A group of state attorneys general from across the country, including New York, California, and Rhode Island, has united to support DEIA efforts in education.
