With a Friday deadline for schools to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or risk losing federal funding, most institutions are resisting immediate changes.

Many education leaders argue the Trump administration’s directive lacks legal authority and would be difficult to enforce. Officials in California, Washington, and New York have assured schools that the guidance does not require immediate action.

The February 14 memo, issued as a Dear Colleague Letter, orders schools to end any race-based practices, impacting recruitment efforts, student groups, and even classroom discussions on racism. Opponents call it an overreach, designed to chill DEI initiatives.

Despite concerns, funding threats are rarely enforced. The US has 18,000 school districts and 6,000 colleges, while the Education Department’s civil rights office has fewer than 600 investigators. Past funding revocations have taken years and remain tied up in courts.

Some universities, like Colorado State and the University of Cincinnati, are cautiously reviewing DEI roles. Others, including Antioch University and Western Michigan University, have dismissed the directive, insisting most of higher education won’t comply without a legal mandate.

Meanwhile, Republican-led states have welcomed the change, arguing that race-based policies should never have been allowed. The American Federation of Teachers is challenging the memo in court, citing free speech violations.

For now, most schools are holding steady, waiting for legal clarity and potential enforcement. With court battles ahead, the real impact of Trump’s directive remains uncertain.

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