Federal funding for Idaho’s “community schools” program has been reinstated after an effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) components. This has been an ongoing topic since President Donald Trump’s re-election.
The Idaho Department of Education noted that the federal grant, previously awarded to United Way of Treasure Valley in collaboration with the state’s “community schools,” was meant to benefit 65 schools over multiple years, as reported on Friday.
The article further explained:
Last month, United Way of Treasure Valley learned that the federal government would terminate the grant prematurely, citing issues with the language of the document. In response, Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch penned a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, advocating for an appeal on behalf of United Way.
According to a news release from the state Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education had previously declared the program ineligible for funding due to its DEI alignment, which meant that $30 million in funding was on hold.
Following the funding reversal, Idaho State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield stated:
This choice confirms that community schools are effective and compliant with both federal and state laws, reflecting the values that Idaho families prioritize—strong schools and strong families. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education for its thorough review and ongoing support of this vital program.
In a statement regarding Idaho, a U.S. Department of Education representative explained:
We can confirm that the Department has reinstated Idaho’s grant funds after removing illegal DEI elements from applications approved during the Biden Administration. This reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively for true educational purposes, not divisive ideologies.
The Idaho Community Schools Federation has indicated that “community schools are neighborhood public schools where parents, educators, and community partners collaborate to enhance support for families and create meaningful learning experiences for students.”
In December 2024, the Department of Government Efficiency reported that the U.S. Department of Education had allocated $1 billion promoting DEI in schools nationwide.
These findings align with President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to combat the perceived woke ideologies infiltrating the educational system through DEI and critical race theory initiatives, as noted at the time.
Interestingly, Trump’s Education Department officials initiated the dismantling of DEI efforts within the first week of his second term, with reports indicating that state education departments were warned to drop their DEI policies to avoid repercussions.
