The U.S. Education Bureau had requested that by the end of last month institutions be compliant or risk losing federal funds.
Federal judges have rejected themselves from lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s recent guidance calling for schools and universities to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Among the institutions Laplante teaches is the University of New Hampshire School of Law. It is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), and is the country’s largest teachers’ union and the leading plaintiff in the case.
“The judge’s performance as a graduate level instructor may be related to the subject of this case or because reasonable participants and other individuals may rationally question the fairness of the judge,” he wrote.
The lawsuit was filed on March 5 by the NEA’s New Hampshire and National Branches, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The group argues that the new guidance on the U.S. Department of Education’s DEI program is “unconstitutional and ambiguous.”
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The letter warns educational institutions that all “secret racism” and “racial-based decision-making” are illegal under the DEI banner and that they should not attempt to use third-party contractors to avoid these bans. The school was given until February 28th to risk losing federal funds.
The enforcement efforts are based in part on the division’s interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court 2023 decision that found that so-called “racially conscious” university admissions were unconstitutional. The department said the ruling should be applied more broadly to prohibit schools and universities from treating students differently based on races that pursue DEI goals.
“The law is clear: it treats students differently based on race to achieve ambiguous goals such as diversity, racial balance, social justice, and equity.
The NEA and the ACLU have asked the court to block the order.
The lawsuit cites three anonymous New Hampshire educators: high school English teacher, eighth grade social studies teacher and middle school counselor. They all claim to be members and are affected by the new anti-DEI policy.
Similarly, social studies teachers are concerned that lessons about US history could violate restrictions on guidance when discussing “systematic and structural racism” or “discriminatory policies and practices.”
The Epoch Times contacted the Education Department for comments.
