State Ed’s Defiance of Trump’s End-DEI Demand is Proof that Agency Leaders Don’t Care About Students

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is pushing back against a recent executive order issued by former President Donald Trump, which mandates the elimination of all “unconstitutional” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools. Under the order, states that fail to affirm compliance risk losing Title I federal education funding—resources that support schools with high percentages of low-income students. Despite the financial implications, NYSED remains defiant. In a formal three-page response, agency attorney Daniel Morton-Bentley asserted, “There are no federal or state laws prohibiting the principles of DEI,” firmly defending the department’s right to continue such initiatives. The letter characterizes DEI efforts as essential to addressing the long-term effects of segregation, systemic discrimination, and educational inequity.

DEI Principles Defended as Educational Equalizers

In its response, the state education department emphasized that DEI programs are not tools of division, but rather instruments for fairness. According to NYSED, these initiatives are designed to “level the playing field” and help students from historically marginalized backgrounds gain equitable access to learning opportunities. However, critics argue that DEI programs often prioritize identity politics over academic merit, and can end up fueling racial tensions in schools. Opponents claim the initiatives encourage staff and students to view every issue through the lens of race or ethnicity, fostering division rather than unity. These criticisms have fueled broader debates across the nation about the place of DEI in public education.

Broader Challenges in New York’s Public Schools

The backlash against DEI is taking place against the backdrop of significant challenges in New York’s traditional public school system. Over the past few years, learning loss and chronic absenteeism have soared—problems made worse by pandemic-era disruptions and what some call declining academic standards. Many families, frustrated with the direction of public education, are choosing alternatives such as charter schools, private institutions, or homeschooling. In some cases, families are relocating out of state altogether, driven by concerns over both education quality and policy direction. Critics of NYSED argue that these shifts signal growing disillusionment with the department’s priorities.

Political Standoff Over Curriculum Direction

At the core of the dispute is a philosophical divide over how schools should approach topics related to race, identity, and history. The Trump administration’s order seeks to eliminate what it sees as ideologically driven, identity-based teaching, instead promoting a curriculum that respects diversity of opinion and adheres to constitutional principles. The NYSED’s refusal to comply is seen by some as political resistance rather than educational necessity. Detractors claim that Commissioner Betty Rosa and her team are more focused on ideological battles than on addressing the core issues affecting student outcomes. The battle over DEI is far from over—and as federal and state officials continue to clash, the future of New York’s educational policy may hinge on how far each side is willing to go.