WASHINGTON — Federal civil‑rights enforcement has long aimed to remedy historic discrimination against Black students and people of color. The Justice Department has pressured schools to desegregate, while the Education Department has promoted equal opportunity and held institutions accountable for racial bias.
Under the Trump administration, many programs designed to redress inequities are now branded as “illegal DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion). Schools that fail to comply face funding cuts, with some losing federal grants entirely. Civil‑rights attorneys argue that the administration’s actions invert legal history, harming Black students and their communities.
One example is the Black Student Success Program (BSSP) at Chicago Public Schools. The DOJ withheld more than $20 million after the district resisted ending the program, which expands advanced coursework for Black students and reduces harsh discipline. The Education Department has warned that all federally funded programs must follow the anti‑discrimination law, stating that “serving student needs and following the law are not irreconcilable mandates.”
Los Angeles Unified School District Faces New Scrutiny
The LA Unified School District (LAUSD) recently adopted the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) after student activism following George Floyd’s 2020 murder. The plan provides extra teachers, counselors, and a curriculum in Black history. Initially, schools were selected partly on Black enrollment; after complaints, LAUSD shifted focus to factors like absenteeism and low test scores, claiming all students could qualify.
Despite these changes, the Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation following a renewed complaint from the conservative group Defending Education. LAUSD maintains its programs comply with state and federal law, while students report tangible benefits from the BSAP, such as access to college‑preparation resources and mental‑health support.
Justice Department Targets Historic Desegregation Measures
The Justice Department has released districts from court‑ordered desegregation plans dating back to the Civil Rights Movement, describing them as outdated. It has also cut funding from schools' magnet‑school programs that were built to promote diversity.
In Los Angeles, the Department seeks to remove the “Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or Other Non‑Anglo” (PHBAO) designation, which provides smaller class sizes when 70% of zoned students are students of color. A lawsuit challenging this designation was filed by the 1776 Project Foundation, and the DOJ has joined the suit, arguing the program is unconstitutional and discriminates against white students.
Legal experts suggest that the DOJ’s stance ignores the historical necessity of desegregation efforts and the enduring inequities that still exist in the school system.
As federal agencies tighten enforcement, advocates warn that students of color may lose critical support. The shift represents a profound change in how civil‑rights law is applied to schools, reversing the progress of decades of federal policy.
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