Four teacher preparation programs receiving federal dollars are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education after receiving credible reports that they illegally discriminate by targeting aid toward non‑white teachers.
Federal officials cite civil rights violations
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey told The Federalist that race, national origin or sex must not decide who shapes America’s next generation, and that the Office for Civil Rights has determined the programs violate Title VI and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
CUNY’s NYC Men Teach program
The City University of New York’s NYC Men Teach program aims to add 1,000 male teachers of color, surpassing its 2018 quota and drawing candidates from its 16 campuses and partner high schools.
University of Maryland grant conditions
UMD’s School of Education received a nearly $100,000 grant that awards aid to students from groups historically underrepresented in teaching, specifying African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, low‑income families, first‑generation college students and individuals with disabilities, while giving priority to HBCUs and Hispanic‑serving institutions.
Minnesota tuition assistance and race‑based scholarships
Minnesota’s Education Tuition Assistance Program, created in 1997, targets “Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers,” distributing $5.87 million from 2024‑2026 and tracking non‑white candidate percentages.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is under investigation for its Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Pilot Program and the Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant, both of which condition eligibility on the applicant’s race, as confirmed by OCR.
Broader university probe
OCR is also opening investigations into 11 universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, Campbell University, Drake University, College of DuPage, Middle Tennessee State University, University of North Iowa, University of Tennessee‑Knoxville, University of San Diego, Seattle University and Westfield State University, to determine whether their programs violate civil rights law.
The Department of Education declined to detail specific allegations, stating it does not discuss complaints.
Breccan F. Thies, White House correspondent for The Federalist and 2025 Dao Prize co‑recipient for investigative journalism, previously reported for the Washington Examiner and Breitbart News. He holds a degree from the University of Virginia and is a 2022 Claremont Institute Publius Fellow. Follow him on X @BreccanFThies.
