Harrisburg – Governor Josh Shapiro said on Tuesday that he was “very concerned” with the threats of Trump’s administration to suspend federal funds from the most common schools on diversity, equality and inclusion, but he ceased to say that he would fight the directive.
Last Thursday, the US Education Department ordered the certificate to the countries that none of their public schools has “illegal dei practices” – and threatened to block future federal support if you are not consistent.
Shapiro, a democrat, told journalists on Tuesday before the appearance of Farm Bureau appearing in front of Pennsylvania that the Education Department in Pennsylvania is still reviewing the directive.
Several states managed by Democratic decided to oppose the Directive of the Education Department or told districts to ignore it. Leaders in Minnesota and New York said that they would not follow the order, and California and Vermont told the districts not to answer, Associated Press was reported.
Meanwhile, other states and territories have submitted their certificates or plan, including Arizona and Virginia, which prepare their applications, and Puerto Rico, which education secretary Linda McMahon praised that he was the first to present his certification.
»Read more: Some schools in Philly stick to Dei, despite Trump’s orders
In a letter sent to state educational agencies last week, the Department stated that Dei’s initiatives are racially discriminating against, citing the decision of the Supreme Court, which throws an affirmative effect in admission to studies. Distinguished the federal funds of the title and, which go to schools that have higher populations of low -income students as depending on the provisions on anti -discrimination.
Shapiro said he was worried that Trump’s administration would draw all funds for 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, especially for students in schools of the title I.
Shapiro set the burden of the congress delegation so as not to approach the restriction of financing that affects each of our school districts. “
When asked about the confusion between the districts – which are still waiting for the state’s instructions, how to approach the directive – the governor He said that the confusion was caused by the Trump administration.
“At this point, I think that many of us are looking for clarity about what Trump’s administration means by most executive orders that they sign, which is more about press releases, and less about the actual legally binding teeth,” he added.
The Pennsylvania Education Department, who did not answer the questions about the Federal Directive last week, did not immediately answer the next request for comment on Tuesday.
Any potential action can certainly affect Philadelphia, the largest school system in Pennsylvania, which has the Dei office and confirmed its involvement in anti -racist as one of the district’s presidents.
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. He said on Tuesday that he had no “specific communication” with the state education department “but he would imagine that we would continue its position in this matter in the near future.”
Other regional districts with capital initiatives, including Lower Merion and Tredyffrin/Easttown, said they were waiting for the state guidelines.
The letter of the Federal Department of Education to the States said that “some dei practices may violate federal law.”
“Any violation of title VI – including programs of diversity, own capital and integration (” Dei “), which will pass the race over another – is unacceptable,” said the letter.
In the letter he did not specify which practices would be illegal, although previous communication with the department said that schools cannot consider the breed in “parties, employment, promotion, compensation, financial assistance, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, apartments, completion ceremonies and all other aspects of student life, academic and academic life, academic and all aspects campus. “
The department initially granted the State Educational Agencies 10 days to submit a certificate that their schools do not have illegal practices, but on Monday he extended the date for April 24, he said Associated Press.
“We are working on what they asked for, and now we go through this process,” Shapiro told reporters on Tuesday. “We’ll contact you.”
Staff writer Kristen A. Graham contributed to this article.
