Citing concerns over diversity, equity and inclusion in program materials, the U.S. Department of Education has eliminated about $8 million in grant funding earmarked for special education teacher programming in Wisconsin K-12 schools.
At issue is a $10.5 million, five-year State Personnel Development Grant that supports various programs focused on teacher recruitment and retention. Special education consistently ranks among the top fields for teacher shortages, and state data show just 46% of those teachers remain in Wisconsin, and 27% in their district, after seven years on the job.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction had already received about $2.5 million for the first year of the grant, leaving about $8 million — and several programs — to be cut.
DPI appealed the cancellation Sept. 11 and awaiting a decision.
Federal government cites mentions of equity, ‘whiteness’
In an Aug. 27 letter, the U.S. Department of Education said a review determined the grant would be canceled because it conflicts with goals of “prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education.”
First, at issue is a goal in DPI’s grant application stating educator coaches will be trained in an “equity mindset.”
Second, at issue is a paragraph in DPI’s grant application, which states: “The (educator) coach surfaces the impact of white supremacy and the history of whiteness on systems, works to disrupt and dismantle its effects, and facilitates action planning to build a more equitable system of education in its place.”
Under the Trump administration, the education department has outlined goals to eliminate goals that promote diversity, equity or inclusion, arguing they are themselves discriminatory.
It has also argued that the concept of systemic racism does not exist.
DPI says it has taken steps to comply
In appealing the federal government’s decision, DPI says it has taken steps to eliminate the language at issue.
As for the paragraph about White supremacy, DPI said it removed that language in March in response to the executive order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferences.”
As for the “equity mindset” detail, DPI said it included that language because grant application requirements had required potential awardees to show how they would “ensure equitable access to, and equitable participation in, the project.”
DPI said it was referring to equity between students with and without disabilities.
“However, moving forward — and in light of the Department’s concerns — DPI will cease reference to an ‘equity mindset’ while executing the program,” the appeal letter says.
Without grant funding, several initiatives to recruit and retain teachers will end
The grant largely supports Wisconsin’s Special Educator Induction Program, which provides career mentorship and training for first- and second-year teachers. Since fall 2024, it has trained over 300 new teachers, according to DPI.
DPI said it can maintain the program this academic year, but with the grant cancellation its long-term future remains unclear. The program is largely funded through the Individuals with disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but still relies on the grant.
Other aspects of the grant are being cut all together as a result of the grant termination.
Among them:
Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DPI awaits appeal decision after Trump administration cuts grant for special ed teachers over DEI
Reporting by Cleo Krejci, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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