The U.S. Education Department has launched a portal called “End DEI” to enable the public complain about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in publicly-funded K-12 schools.
In the United States, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are organizational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on identity or disability.
The administration of Republican President Donald Trump has attempted to dismantle DEI initiatives since taking office on January 20.
Trump has issued executive orders targeting DEI in the federal government and private sector.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration warned of cuts in federal funding for academic institutions and universities if they continued with DEI programmes.
A two-week deadline for educational institutions to end DEI practices outlined in that February 14 letter nears its end.
A teachers union sued the Trump administration over that letter.
“The U.S. Department of Education launched EndDEI.Ed.Gov, a public portal for parents, students, teachers, and the broader community to submit reports of discrimination based on race or sex in publicly-funded K-12 schools,” the department said.
“The secure portal allows parents to provide an email address, the name of the student’s school or school district, and details of the concerning practices. The Department of Education will use submissions as a guide to identify potential areas for investigation.”
Rights advocates say DEI programs help uplift marginalized communities by addressing historic inequities.
Trump and his allies call the programmes anti-merit and discriminatory against white people and men.
DEI programmes have been part of workplace efforts to ensure fairer representation for groups seen as historically marginalized, such as African Americans, LGBTQ+ community members, women, disabled people and other ethnic minorities in the United States.
DEI efforts picked up pace, including in the private sector, in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man.
George died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
