Dozens of parental rights and education organizations are urging governors in all 50 states to conduct full audits of K–12 school policies and laws, warning that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, poor hiring practices, and violations of civil rights protections remain widespread in public education, as reported by Fox News.
The coordinated effort, led by Defending Education and joined by more than 20 parental rights groups, was outlined in a letter sent to every state and Washington, D.C.
The letter calls for state leaders to review and repeal provisions that promote race or sex-based preferences in hiring and programming, or that conflict with federal protections under Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act or the Equal Protection Clause.
“It has become common practice for states to violate federal law in the name of diversity,” said Erika Sanzi, senior director of communications for Defending Education.
“With so many ideological bullies in state government and in our schools, cowardice and ignorance have ruled the day for far too long. State laws, regulations and practices that promote (and even require) race and sex-based discrimination must be exposed and eliminated. It’s time that every state cleans up the mess they’ve made in the name of DEI.”
The letter also highlights concerns about inadequate teacher vetting, referencing the recent resignation of Des Moines, Iowa, Superintendent Ian Roberts.
Roberts, who entered the U.S. illegally from Guyana, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in September after a car chase. Homeland Security officials confirmed that Roberts had a “final order of removal and no work authorization” and was facing prior weapon possession charges from February 2020. A loaded handgun was also found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest.
The groups warned that inadequate screening processes have also allowed teachers accused of child sexual abuse to remain in the system.
The letter cites research showing that abusive educators are often transferred to other districts and can victimize dozens of students before facing legal or professional consequences.
“Collective bargaining agreements negotiated between teacher unions and school districts are a key contributor to the problem,” the letter stated, adding that personnel records are often scrubbed to conceal misconduct.
Among the organizations signing the letter are School Boards for Academic Excellence, Parents Unite, Protective Parent Coalition, Conservative Ladies of America, Awake Illinois, Power2Parent, and Californians for Equal Rights Foundation.
The Trump administration previously issued an executive order targeting DEI practices across federal agencies, the military, and schools.
However, many institutions have since rebranded DEI departments under alternative names such as “belonging” or “inclusivity,” according to Defending Education’s findings.
“Our assessment of state education laws coast-to-coast reveals a troubling reality: many state laws are at odds with federal anti-discrimination provisions and are going to invite federal scrutiny,” said Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and legal fellow at Defending Education.
“The Civil Rights Act’s mandates of equality in educational programs aren’t being realized in too many American classrooms.”
A report released earlier this year by Defending Education found that DEI consulting firms have collected over $123 million in taxpayer-funded contracts from K–12 schools across 40 states.
The group said those contracts spanned both red and blue states, including Florida, Alabama, California, and Washington.
“Public education is a state responsibility,” Defending Education wrote.
“Yet every state that accepts federal funds must follow federal civil rights law. Too many states are out of compliance … Our organizations are calling for ‘legal housekeeping’ to ensure that schools operate lawfully, transparently, and in the best interests of students and families.”
