Idaho’s federal funding reinstated following DEI claims from the Education Department

Federal Funding for Idaho Community Schools Restored

The Idaho Department of Education shared that federal funding has been reinstated for community schools, which had faced criticism for their initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Originally, nearly $30 million in federal grants to the United Way of the Treasure Valley had been frozen. This funding was intended to support 65 schools until 2028. Last month, the federal government indicated the grant would be cut short due to concerns about language in the original application. In response, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch wrote to the U.S. Department of Education urging an appeal of this decision.

Although the initial appeal was denied, the Idaho Department of Education recently announced that the federal government has reversed its decision.

Governor Brad Little commented, “Idaho has long been a leader in eradicating DEI in our education system. We were pleased to learn that the U.S. Department of Education reinstated Idaho’s grants, acknowledging our efforts to eliminate DEI from our programs. This decision confirms that these funds were not used to advance DEI.” It’s interesting how such discussions often center on what families value—especially when education feels so crucial.

In related comments, Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction, praised the advocacy efforts of the United Way and welcomed the support from the U.S. Department of Education.

Critchfield noted, “This decision confirms that community schools are effective and comply with both federal and state laws, aligning with the values that Idaho families prioritize—strong schools and strong families. We appreciate the thorough review by the U.S. Department of Education.”

A representative from the U.S. Department of Education remarked, “After removing illegal and harmful DEI components from applications approved under the previous administration, we can confirm the Idaho grant has been reinstated. This reflects our priority to ensure taxpayer dollars fund meaningful education rather than divisive ideologies.”

Interestingly, while eliminating DEI programs in education was a focus of the Trump administration, Idaho had been working on this shift even before Trump’s presidency.

In December 2024, the Idaho State Board of Education had reached a unanimous decision stating that Idaho’s colleges and universities could not mandate any specific structures or activities related to DEI.