Trump's DEI threat could nix funding for arts, sports and anti-poverty efforts in NY schools

Art classes, music and sports are among the programs at risk as the Trump administration threatens to cut federal funding for states that don’t sign off on anti-DEI efforts.

Last week, the New York state education department refused to certify that it barred all diversity, equity and inclusion programs, writing that the agency was not obliged to comply with the federal government’s interpretation of the law. The decision sets up a showdown with President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who said school districts may lose federal funds if they don’t comply with “federal antidiscrimination requirements.”

On Monday, a federal education department spokesperson said the deadline for school districts to certify they were in compliance had been extended to April 24.

Federal funds make up about $2 billion out of the city’s $40 billion education budget. Much of the money is “Title 1” funding, which goes to high poverty schools. Other funding goes to schools that serve a certain proportion of students with limited English proficiency (Title 3) or homeless students.

“It would be incredibly difficult for us to ensure that students have these opportunities,” said Kyle Brillante, principal of The Highbridge Green School, a middle school in the Bronx.

He said he uses federal funding to pay arts programming, athletics and clothes as well as food for homeless students.

Still, he credited the state education department for standing up to the federal government.

“I’m very happy to be an educator in New York and that the state education department sent out the response it did,” he said. “We’ll have to figure it out, but I think it’s the right choice, honestly.”

Funding for students with disabilities also comes from the federal government, though withholding that money might be more complicated because it is tied to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Wendy Lecker, a senior attorney at the Education Law Center, said federal funding is also used for instructional coaching, tutoring and extra help.

“Even though federal funding represents a relatively small percentage of education funding overall, for those schools receiving [them], Title 1 funds are critical,” Lecker said.

Ellen Keast, deputy press secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, said students should not be treated differently due to their race. The spokesperson said the agency was merely asking districts to certify they are not using racial preferences or stereotypes in schools.

It’s not yet clear which funding streams the Trump administration would cut, but the letter did include a reference to Title 1. The administration also has not outlined what district-wide or school-based activities are considered “DEI.”

During the de Blasio administration, the city required all teachers to attend anti-bias workshops, but those workshops ended years ago. Some parents and educators said they were worried whether “rainbow clubs” for LGBTQ+ students and Black and Latino student associations are considered DEI. They also worried about funding cuts under Trump’s executive order barring “radical indoctrination.”

The uncertainty surrounding the scope of the federal funding threat highlighted a reality about New York City schools: Diversity is woven into each school’s operations, inside and outside the classroom.

“Diversity is a superpower here in New York City,” Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said last week.