Stanford University Faces Federal Investigation over Teacher Certification Program
Stanford University is currently under federal scrutiny for a program aimed at assisting teachers who “identify as people of color” in obtaining National Board of Education certification, as reported by the California Post.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Ritchie commented, “Instead of helping students reach their goals based on merit, it seems Stanford is linking access to National Board accredited programs to skin color.”
On Wednesday, the Education Department initiated an investigation into Stanford’s National School Board Resource Center, directed by Geetha Lakshminarayanan, to assess whether it breached Title VI. This law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs that receive federal funding.
In a promotional application, the program stated, “Are you an educator of color considering pursuing National Board of Education certification? Are you a CTA member looking to enhance your teaching practice and connect with other educators of color? The California Teachers Association (CTA), in collaboration with the UCLA National Board of Education Project and Stanford’s National Board Resource Center (NBRC), is launching a second fully funded cohort for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) teachers who are committed to achieving National Board certification and becoming educators who lead in their communities.”
Stanford’s partnership with the California Teachers Association to create the BIPOC Cohort aims to increase diversity among National Board Certified Teachers. According to the DOE, all services offered through the Stanford NBRC will receive complete funding.
Ritchie further stated, “It’s shocking that an institution positioned as a leader in educational excellence would restrict opportunities based on race. If these claims are accurate, Stanford is engaged in discrimination.” She emphasized that “the Trump Administration will consistently combat discrimination to uphold American rights under the law. Every student, regardless of their skin color, should have a fair chance to thrive.”
National Board Certification is a voluntary initiative designed to “develop, retain, and evaluate outstanding teachers,” regarded as the highest recognition a teacher can achieve per the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
This investigation by the DOE follows recent legislative efforts, specifically the STOP DEI bill introduced in Congress, which aims to restrict federal funding for schools if they discriminate based on race, sex, ethnicity, color, or national origin in decisions regarding student aid.
