California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 17 other attorneys general, has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education urging it to maintain its commitment to student equity and opportunity. The coalition’s comments were in response to the Department’s new Proposed Priorities for grant applications, which would eliminate existing priorities aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools.
Attorney General Bonta stated, “The President continues to attack programs and policies meant to lift up students in classrooms across America and ensure equitable access to educational resources and learning opportunities.” He urged the Department of Education to refocus its proposed priorities on student needs and compliance with federal civil rights laws.
The coalition emphasized that abandoning these commitments could worsen existing disparities in school districts already facing inequities in resources and educational opportunities. They argued that initiatives promoting diversity are not equivalent to affirmative action cases like Students for Fair Admissions v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll., 600 U.S. 181 (2023). Instead, such initiatives aim to prevent bias, boost morale, and remove barriers for students from diverse backgrounds.
Additionally, the coalition warned that removing previous priorities might increase schools’ risk of violating federal laws such as Title VI, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). These laws require actions supporting diversity as a condition for federal funding.
The comment letter was co-signed by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
