Attacking Government Bloat Is One Thing. Disabling Education Is Another.

As an education advocate, I've closely monitored discussions from leading practitioners about recent educational policy changes. The current administration's approach to diversity in public education appears to undermine evidence-based improvement initiatives. Below, I'm sharing insights from Dana Peterson, CEO of New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO), who details the concrete impacts of federal grant reductions resulting from new diversity-related policies.

Last week, I shared the disappointing news that the U.S. Department of Education canceled two critical federal grants that supported the recruitment and retention of effective teachers in New Orleans’ public schools. These grants were not revoked because they failed to achieve their goals. Instead, the cancellation letters cited their involvement in “diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.”

This decision is part of this administration’s broader policy shift, which falsely claims that DEI efforts - designed to ensure the inclusion of diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives - are illegal, unconstitutional, and even discriminatory. They argue that DEI undermines excellence. The truth is the exact opposite. These actions are a blatant attempt to turn back the clock, allowing institutions to ignore excellence in favor of systemic discrimination.

This attack on diversity in education is especially troubling given the historical barriers that have long prevented Black educators from entering and remaining in the profession.

The impact of this is still felt today, more than 70 years after Brown v Board of Education mandated school desegregation. As of the 2017-18 school year, 79% of U.S. public school teachers identified as non-Hispanic white, while only 7% were Black. This stark underrepresentation deprives students - especially Black students - of teachers who reflect their identities, experiences, and potential.

The benefits of teacher diversity are undeniable. A 2022 Brookings Institute analysis found that students performed better on tests, earned higher grades, and had improved attendance when taught by a same-race teacher. A 2016 study showed that teachers of the same race as their students held those students to higher expectations - leading to better outcomes.

In recent years, the number of Black teachers in public schools in New Orleans has grown by 10%, and the impact is clear. State and national test data show that students in New Orleans—particularly Black students—have outpaced their peers across Louisiana and the nation in academic recovery. This progress has been driven, in part, by the valuable resources provided through federal grants that support teacher recruitment and retention.

America is diverse, and our public school students are even more so. Nationally, 56% of students are non-white. In New Orleans, that number jumps to 91.1%. For these students to thrive—and for our country to continue progressing—they need educators who understand and reflect their experiences.

This attack on diversity in education is not only baseless—it’s harmful. It disregards decades of evidence and threatens to hold our students and communities back. DEI isn’t about exclusion; it’s about making sure every student has access to qualified, diverse educators who can help them succeed.

New Orleans has shown that teacher diversity drives student success. We stand committed to protect it.