Georgia schools comply with Trump anti-DEI threat. What would have been at risk?

All of Georgia’s local education agencies, including the Bibb County School District, have signed a certification letter that requires the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in order to maintain access to over $1 billion in federal K-12 education funding.

On April 3, the Trump administration sent letters to state education departments requiring compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act and responsibilities outlined in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision as a condition of receiving federal financial assistance. Georgia’s Department of Education collected certifications from all public school districts and state-authorized charter schools, according to state Department of Education spokesperson Meghan Frick.

U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said school systems accepting federal money must follow anti-discrimination laws.

“Unfortunately, we have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI,” Trainor said in a press release. “ ... No student should be denied opportunities or treated differently because of his or her race.”

On Feb. 14, the Office for Civil Rights also issued a “Dear Colleague” letter notifying institutions receiving federal money that the usage of race-based preferences and stereotypes in admissions, hiring, scholarships, discipline and related programs must cease.

Frick said the state risked losing more than $1 billion in federal funding for student programs if it did not comply with federal orders.

“GaDOE complied with this federal requirement as our school districts rely on federal funding (including more than $610 million in Title I, Part A funds and more than $434 million in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds) to carry out critical work for economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and more,” she told The Telegraph via email.

“We felt strongly it was not in students’ best interest to put those programs at risk by refusing to comply with a federal requirement directly tied to states’ continued receipt of federal education funds,” Frick added.

States were originally given 10 days to sign and return the certification, but the deadline was extended to April 24. On that date, state Superintendent Richard Woods submitted Georgia’s documentation to federal officials, according to materials shared by Frick.

“The Georgia Department of Education does not promote or endorse practices, policies, or initiatives that are in violation of Title VI, but is strongly committed to increasing opportunities and outcomes for all Georgia students,” Woods wrote, adding that he expects the Office for Civil Rights to identify specific violations and recommend corrective action where needed.

What do federal funds support in Macon schools?

On April 21, Bibb County Schools Superintendent Dan Sims signed and submitted the certification form to the state education department, according to BCSD spokesperson Stephanie Hartley.

“(The) Bibb County School District has not scaled back any programs as a result,” Hartley added.

Frick did not say which specific DEI programs might be removed from Georgia schools but emphasized that failing to certify compliance could have had major financial consequences.

Federal funding at risk included the Every Student Succeeds Act and McKinney-Vento Program — federal laws essential to districts such as Bibb County, where hundreds of students come from low-income families or experience homelessness.

The Georgia Department of Education approved at least $30 million in federal funding for Bibb County Schools for the 2025 fiscal year, covering ESSA programs and special education services for children with disabilities, according to state allocations available on the department’s website. Additional funding may not have been reflected in the online data.

Over $3 million went toward special needs services and grants for the continuation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide before- and after-school programming for students. Federal grants also fund Title II initiatives for teacher training and professional development.

State-level DEI restrictions also in place

Federal judges in three states have temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to withhold education funding from schools with DEI programs, asserting that the executive branch exceeded its authority. The legal dispute is still ongoing.

Whether the injunction is later overturned or not, Georgia has its own laws restricting DEI content in schools.

Frick pointed to House Bill 1084, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022, which prohibits teaching certain “divisive concepts” about race in public classrooms.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones also has expressed opposition to DEI initiatives.

“While I believe the focus on education should remain at the state level and not in the hands of the federal government,” he said in a February email to The Telegraph. “I would welcome policies that ensure our schools focus on education fundamentals like reading, math and science, rather than pushing political or ideological content. This means reviewing curriculum standards to ensure they are free from any material promoting division based on race or identity.”

During the 2025 legislative session, Republican lawmakers supported House Bill 127, which would have banned DEI initiatives in public schools, colleges and universities. The measure failed.

The bill reflected the Trump administration’s push to restrict classroom discussions around identity and equity with threats of stripped state funding.

HB 127 proposed banning terms and concepts such as “unconscious or implicit bias,” “cultural appropriation,” “gender ideology or theory,” “systemic oppression,” “group marginalization” and “social justice.”

Georgia education advocates previously voiced concerns about the Trump administration’s anti-DEI efforts potentially intensifying existing DEI-pushback in the state and reshaping school policies.

The Georgia NAACP said the GaDOE’s decision to prioritize federal funding over fundamental fairness sends the wrong message — that student inclusion is negotiable.

“DEI programs are not political statements; they are vital tools for creating learning environments where all students — regardless of race, background, ability, or identity — can thrive,” the civil rights organization said in a statement. “These initiatives provide critical support for marginalized students, help address historic inequities, and equip young people to live and lead in an increasingly diverse world.”

This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.