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Oklahoma State School Superintendent Ryan Walters has issued a directive requiring all public schools in the state to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives by Thursday, April 24 or face the loss of federal funding. Walters emphasized that this action aligns with President Trump's order to eliminate DEI practices, which the administration considers discriminatory.
As of April 18, 446 schools in Oklahoma have complied by signing a letter agreeing to the ban, while 96 schools have yet to respond. Walters stated that federal funds would be withheld starting Tuesday (April 25) from non-compliant schools, and any withheld funds will be returned to the federal government. According to KJRH, Walters cited activities like "white privilege walks" and Critical Race Theory as examples of DEI practices deemed inappropriate under the federal mandate.
The Trump administration has mandated that all states certify compliance with the ban on DEI practices by April 24 to continue receiving federal education funds. This move follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned affirmative action policies in college admissions, which the administration argues are akin to DEI practices that advantage one race over another.
While some states have agreed to comply, others have resisted, questioning the legality and clarity of the certification requirement. States like Vermont and Utah have taken different approaches, either pushing back against the federal request or developing their own compliance measures. The situation remains contentious, with potential legal challenges on the horizon.