NJ Responds To Trump's Demand To End DEI In Public Schools

NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Education last week said it won't comply with the Trump administration's demands to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the state's public schools.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Education, Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the state won't heed a request from federal officials to certify that New Jersey schools are not using DEI programs and policies.

In the letter, Dehmer said school districts have already provided paperwork guaranteeing Title VI compliance and slammed the Trump administration's vaguely worded request referencing "certain DEI practices" or "illegal DEI."

"The NJDOE is unaware of any changes in federal law or regulations that would necessitate the provision of additional certifications beyond those that it or New Jersey (Local Education Agencies) have already provided, or that would warrant a material change in the terms and conditions of its award of federal funds," Dehmer wrote.

The letter was written in response to a request by federal officials sent to states earlier this month. On April 3, the U.S. Education Department told state agencies they must sign a document saying they follow federal antidiscrimination laws and get the same assurance from schools.

The document threatens to cut federal money for any civil rights violation, including using DEI practices “to advantage one's race over another.”

The letter does not carry the force of law but threatens to use civil rights enforcement to rid schools of DEI practices. Schools that continue such practices “in violation of federal law” can face Justice Department litigation and a termination of federal grants and contracts, it said.

About 7.7 percent of public school funding in New Jersey comes from the federal government.

The letter initially gave states 10 days to submit the certification. On Monday, the Education Department extended the deadline to April 24.

A department spokesperson told The Associated Press the agency is “simply asking school districts to certify they are following the law and not using race preferences or pernicious race stereotypes in schools.”

At an Assembly Budget Committee hearing in Trenton on Monday, Dehmer said the state is already feeling the effects of federal education cuts, including President Donald Trump's order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

“I think it’s disheartening to see things like almost 50 percent of the U.S. Department of Education employees have been let go,” Dehmer said, adding the cuts have taken away federal "resources that we don’t have available to us anymore."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.