Wisconsin Superintendent Says Schools Won’t Obey Federal DEI Order
Underly defies Trump, won't end programs. $216 million in federal funds at risk.
A student walks down a hallway with lockers Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at Hackett Elementary School in Beloit, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Wisconsin school districts won’t comply with a directive from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs until districts have more information.
On Wednesday, state Superintendent Jill Underly asked the U.S. Department of Education for clarification on both the intent and legality of an April 3 directive that schools sign a letter acknowledging they’re following the government’s interpretation of civil rights laws.
Schools were given 10 days to do so, or be at risk of losing Title I funding. The federal government later extended the deadline to April 24.
This school year, Wisconsin received about $216 million in Title I funds. About $82 million of that money went to Milwaukee Public Schools.
Underly said the request from the Department of Education potentially violates required procedural steps, is unnecessarily redundant and appears designed to intimidate school districts by threatening to withhold critical education funding.
“We cannot stand by while the current administration threatens our schools with unnecessary and potentially unlawful mandates based on political beliefs,” Underly said in a statement. “Our responsibility is to ensure Wisconsin students receive the best education possible, and that means allowing schools to make local decisions based on what is best for their kids and their communities.”
On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education sent a “Dear Colleague” letter giving educational institutions 14 days to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding.
At that time, the state DPI issued guidance to school districts encouraging a “measured and thoughtful approach, rather than immediate or reactionary responses to the federal government’s concerns.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has not clearly defined what the administration considers a violation of civil rights law. The February letter said institutions must “cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, scholarship.”
In a related document addressing frequently asked questions about how the administration would interpret Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the agency said: “Many schools have advanced discriminatory policies and practices under the banner of ‘DEI’ initiatives.”
The document went on to say that schools could engage in historical observances like Black History Month, “so long as they do not engage in racial exclusion or discrimination.”
More information on how federal funding is affecting Wisconsin schools can be found here.
Wisconsin superintendent says schools will not comply with federal request to eliminate DEI programs was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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Am I reading this correctly? Jill Underly is willing to continue to judge people by the color of their skin and not the content of their charactor while losing millions of dollars in funding for our children? How does this make any sense? just dont be racist and treat all human beings kindly and the same regardless of race.
Earth to Cotic: Structural Racism. Read up on it. Also DEI is a lot more than just the color of one’s skin.
Bravo Underly for standing up to this ridiculous and illegal order.
I’m not sure what is being asked of Wisconsin and what Wisconsin (or at least one person Jill Underly) is saying Wisconsin will not do.
It’s interesting that Jill Underly is willing to say no to the potential loss of 216 million dollars. Also interesting is that Jill Underly doesn’t object to superintendents receiving more than $300,000 a year plus benefits and no improvement in outcomes.
I would appreciate a little accountability. If outcomes do not improve, the superintendent loses his or her license and is removed from the job. There is no severance package—go back to being a principal or teacher.
Perhaps the same should be the case for Jill Underly: no improvement in student outcomes . . . But then Wisconsin is interesting—remember the money for high-speed rail that the state didn’t want to take? Then, all of the money was made on road contracts.
What is Wisconsin being asked to do? In clear words, I can understand. I didn’t see a copy of the letter to the State. All I hear is someone saying that we don’t need money – because . . . We do need to improve the education for the children of Milwaukee – smaller classes, better books, more after-school tutoring, more… and that costs money. (Could also use more volunteers and college students and . . . . Libraries are important. Perhaps churches should get involved . . . )
Where is the leadership? I remember – the test scores were changed to make things look better?
Still yammering about the state testing change? Only 200 teachers were involved in its development. But what do they know
about education, right?
Instead, we must believe the APPOINTED HEAD of the US Dept of Education, a former wrestling executive, who is threatening funding for schools for daring to think that civil rights means insuring everyone is included in our society.
Where is the leadership? My choice is the woman in Madison.
First, the problem is that our children are behind. Do you agree or disagree?
Were the test standards changed? If so, why were they changed? I don’t know the answer to that question, and I would be interested in learning.
I believe that the US Department of Education may be closing as one effort to reduce government spending and the US Debt. I don’t know much about the head of the US Department of Education.
The following is from the Department of Education Website:
Linda E. McMahon was sworn in as the 13th United States Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, appointed by President Donald J. Trump. A businesswoman, education policy leader, and public servant, Secretary McMahon has decades of experience as a job creator and advocate for expanding educational opportunities.
Born in North Carolina, Secretary McMahon graduated from East Carolina University in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in French. Her college aspirations to become a schoolteacher reflect her lifelong interest in education, which she later pursued through educational administration and advocacy. She served on the Connecticut State Board of Education, advocating for policies to empower teachers and help students excel, and on the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Secretary McMahon pursued a career in business as the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a global company she helped grow from a regional operation into a publicly traded, multibillion-dollar enterprise. Thanks to her leadership, WWE created thousands of American jobs and sparked McMahon’s passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE). Throughout her career in business and advocacy, she has firmly held that skills-based career preparation is the backbone of the American economy and the path to the American Dream for every citizen.
McMahon also sought to bring her focus on education and economic opportunity to the national stage through two runs for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. In her 2010 and 2012 campaigns, she emphasized the need for options like charter schools to better serve students. Her campaigns highlighted a continued commitment to education reform, including support for teacher autonomy and practical, job-focused learning—priorities she carried into her later roles in public service.
Before her appointment as Secretary of Education, McMahon served as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2017 to 2019 during President Trump’s first term. In that role, she oversaw support for small businesses nationwide, contributing to disaster relief, entrepreneurial development programs, and the White House’s Pledge to America’s Workers, a public-private initiative that created over 16 million education and training opportunities for American students and workers.
Following her time at SBA, she chaired the America First Policy Institute, a think tank focused on advancing policy solutions, including education reforms centered on parental empowerment, school choice, and accountability in higher education. She also served as co-chair of President Trump’s 2024 transition team, playing a key role in staffing and policy for his second-term administration.
A longtime advocate for education and workforce development, Secretary McMahon has emphasized the importance of aligning education with economic opportunity. Her priorities include expanding school choice, empowering teachers to teach basic subjects and skills, and returning education oversight to the states.
Secretary McMahon calls Connecticut home. She has two children, Shane and Stephanie, and six grandchildren who are all students.
I am interested in learning more about all of this. I do believe that something isn’t working. Our students seem to be falling behind.
Thanks!