Dozens of parental rights groups across the United States have launched a campaign to demand a nationwide audit of all K-12 education laws and policies, urging state leaders to eliminate DEI-related practices they accuse of violating federal civil rights laws. The initiative, spearheaded by Defending Education and over 20 other parental rights organizations, calls for the repeal or revision of state policies that allegedly enable race- and sex-based discrimination in hiring and programming, as well as the violation of Titles VI, VII, and IX of the Civil Rights Act.
The letter sent to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., highlights serious concerns about the prevalence of DEI programs, poor vetting of teachers, and the risk of sexual abuse within school systems. One of the most publicized cases comes from Des Moines, Iowa, where Superintendent Ian Roberts resigned after being detained by ICE for failing to meet work authorization requirements after his employment authorization card expired in 2020. His arrest followed a car chase and revealed possession of a loaded handgun, raising further questions about accountability and background checks.
The letter also points to a systemic issue where teachers accused of sexual misconduct are often transferred between districts and may abuse multiple students before facing legal consequences. This problem is exacerbated by collective bargaining agreements between teacher unions and school districts that allow for the removal of misconduct records from personnel files, creating a lack of transparency. The groups argue that such practices undermine student safety and trust in the education system.
In addition to the teacher vetting concerns, the letter criticizes state laws in several regions for contradicting federal anti-discrimination mandates. For example, states like Iowa, Illinois, and Maine are accused of enforcing policies that favor race- and gender-based preferencing in programs, sports, scholarships, and employment, potentially violating the Civil Rights Act’s equality principles. Defending Education’s legal fellow, Sarah Parshall Perry, stated that many states are out of compliance with federal laws and must take responsibility for ensuring their education systems align with the law.
The call for an audit has gained traction in the wake of recent efforts to roll back DEI programs under the Trump administration. Several federal and state-level initiatives have aimed to dismantle DEI practices, including an executive order targeting DEI in schools and the military. Despite these efforts, critics argue that many organizations have simply rebranded DEI initiatives without eliminating the core issues. For instance, some companies and schools have shifted terminology from “DEI” to “belonging” or “inclusivity” to avoid scrutiny. Consumers’ Research executive director Will Hild criticized this trend, noting that the rebranding is an attempt to extend the “grift” of DEI without addressing its underlying problems.
Further fueling the debate are reports of far-left initiatives in K-12 schools, such as a Midwest university’s program promoting “woke” ideology in lesson plans, which has drawn concerns from conservative groups. Critics also highlight the role of DEI consultant groups, which have received over $123 million in taxpayer-funded contracts from K-12 schools nationwide, including states with diverse political affiliations. Defending Education’s report on this issue has drawn attention to the widespread nature of these contracts, raising questions about the efficiency and transparency of such spending.
Defending Education emphasizes that public education is a state responsibility, but states that accept federal funds must also adhere to federal civil rights law. The organization calls for “legal housekeeping” to ensure schools operate lawfully, transparently, and in the best interests of students and families. The groups’ letter, which includes links to the audit demands sent to individual states, underscores their demand for accountability and reform in the K-12 system.
As the debate over DEI continues, it remains unclear whether the proposed nationwide audit will succeed in addressing the deep-rooted concerns about discrimination, accountability, and transparency in K-12 education. Meanwhile, the role of state legislation in shaping education policies and the broader implications for civil rights and student safety will remain central to the discussion.