HARTFORD – State Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker last week declined to sign a letter from the U.S. Department of Education that calls for a reaffirmation of Title VI compliance under the Civil Rights Act. The Trump administration has asked all states to acknowledge that is will stop all diversity, equity and inclusion-related programs or face losing federal funding.
Russell Tucker, along with Gov. Ned Lamont, announced April 16 that the state Department of Education has responded to a recent request from the USDOE and opted not to sign the letter, citing that Connecticut “already does and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
CSDE regularly reaffirms its compliance with all federal program assurances, through which USDOE continues to provide federal funding. Additionally, Local Education Agencies in Connecticut certify their compliance with Title VI to CSDE in annual applications with all assurances required for federal programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, according to a press release.
“In Connecticut, we’re proud to support the incredible diversity of our schools and work tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to a quality education and the best opportunity at the starting line in life,” Lamont said. “From our educators, who are mentoring and inspiring the next generation of young people, to our curriculum, our commitment to education is what has made our schools nationally recognized, and we plan to continue doing what makes our students, teachers, and schools successful.”
The letter to USDOE’s Office for Civil Rights states: “Connecticut remains committed to safeguarding Connecticut students against the insidious effects of discrimination and continues to align its principles and programs with the requirements and purpose of Title VI, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.”
Russell-Tucker reaffirmed Lamont’s thoughts on the matter.
“We will continue to build on the collective efforts of our educators, families, and school communities to create learning environments where every student is valued and supported,” she said. “We remain focused on the work happening in our schools every day and are staunchly committed to ensuring that all our 508,402 students have access to a universe of opportunities.”
In the press release, Russell-Tucker stated that Connecticut is proud to have launched initiatives such as the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP), which addresses chronic absenteeism and closes the opportunity gap through better engagement between students, teachers, and families. Additionally, over the last several years Connecticut has exceeded the benchmark set by the state BOE to increase the number of educators of color by 10% and continues to incorporate policies that better reflect the diversity of the students in the classroom.
State Republican leadership, the minority party in both houses, was disappointed with Russell-Tucker’s actions.
“Earlier today (April 16), we learned that Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker declined to sign the U.S. Department of Education’s letter certifying compliance with federal civil rights law, which now includes the rejection of discriminatory practices related to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs,” said Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto.
“It is thoroughly disappointing that Connecticut Democrats so blatantly refuse to comply with federal law,” he added. “This political decision to continue DEI policies not only harms the students in our schools but also risks Title 1 funding, which primarily helps support districts with higher percentages of low-income families.”
Proto added that he believes “DEI divides us by race or other aspects of our identity, and then prioritizes that identity over merit.” He said “so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion” programs have no place in our country, let alone in our classrooms.
