Trump Signs Orders Targeting College Accreditation and School Equity Programs

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has instructed for increased oversight of U.S. colleges and their accrediting bodies as part of his intensifying effort to counter what he refers to as "wokeness" and diversity initiatives within educational institutions.

On Wednesday, President Trump issued several executive orders aimed at universities he sees as opponents to his policy goals. These directives included stricter compliance with an existing federal statute mandating institutions reveal their monetary connections with international entities. Additionally, one of the orders sought reforms within organizations responsible for determining which colleges qualify to receive student funds from federally funded financial assistance programs.

Trump also ordered the Education Department to root out efforts to ensure equity in discipline in the nation’s K-12 schools. Previous guidance from Democratic administrations directed schools not to disproportionately punish underrepresented minorities such as Black and Native American students. The administration says equity efforts amount to racial discrimination.

Outside funds are central to conflict with Harvard.

Financial connections between colleges and international entities, particularly those from China and other nations with contentious relations with the US, have consistently raised concerns within Republican circles. This issue gained prominence during President Trump’s first term and resurfaced recently as the administration sought additional bargaining power amidst escalating tensions with Harvard University.

The White House stated that they had to intervene due to repeated violations of a federal disclosure law by Harvard and various other universities. This legislation, referred to as Section 117 under the Higher Education Act, mandates institutions to report foreign donations and agreements worth $250,000 or above. The enforcement of this act has not been consistent ever since it came into effect during the '80s.

A week ago, the Education Department requested documents from Harvard regarding international financial connections extending back ten years, alleging that the institution submitted "incomplete and inaccurate" reports. The Trump administration is clashing with Harvard due to the university's reluctance to comply with a set of requirements concerning its management of pro-Palestinian demonstrations along with its initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In the executive order, Trump directs the Education Department and the attorney general to enhance enforcement of the law and implement actions against institutions of higher education that breach it, potentially leading to a suspension of federal funding.

The Trump administration aims to "bring an end to the secrecy around foreign money in U.S. colleges" and safeguard against "exploitation from abroad," according to the directive.

It received praise from Republicans, such as Representative Tim Walberg from Michigan, who heads the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He charged China with abusing scholarly connections to pilfer research and "brainwash students."

Accreditors instructed to remove DEI requirements

A different directive focuses on certifying organizations that establish benchmarks for colleges to qualify for accepting federal financial assistance from students. During his campaign, Trump pledged to reform the sector, claiming it was "controlled by Marxist maniacs and lunatics."

Frequently dismissed as a marginal aspect of university governance, accreditation agencies wield significant influence over various facets of higher education institutions. Their criteria extend from the boardroom to the specifics of course content.

Trump’s executive order is the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy battle to overhaul the accrediting industry. Chief among his priorities is to strip accreditors of DEI requirements imposed on colleges. Some accreditors have already dropped or stopped enforcing such standards amid Trump’s DEI crackdown.

Trump’s order calls on the government to suspend or terminate accreditors that discriminate in the name of DEI. Instead, it calls on accreditors to focus more squarely on the student outcomes of colleges and programs they oversee.

The president aims to simplify the path for new accrediting bodies to enter the market alongside the current 19 agencies approved to operate under federal governance. At present, aspiring accreditors face a rigorous procedure typically lasting several years before gaining recognition from the government. According to Trump’s directive, this process ought to become more "clear, streamlined, and not overly cumbersome."

"Rather than urging schools to embrace a contentious Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion framework, accrediting bodies ought to concentrate on assisting schools in enhancing their graduation rates and the success of their alumni in the job market," stated Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

Reducing emphasis on fairness in school disciplinary actions

Trump also invoked opposition to equity efforts in his order on school discipline. The edict signed Wednesday seeks a return to “common sense school discipline,” allowing decisions to be based solely on students’ behavior and actions, McMahon said.

A new executive order directs federal agencies and departments to cease depending on "disparate impact theories." According to this principle, policies and procedures that have a disproportionate effect on minority populations and other protected classes can be contested irrespective of whether such outcomes were intentional.

Across numerous educational institutions nationwide, African American students have faced higher probabilities of receiving disciplinary actions that lead to their removal from regular classrooms, such as suspension, expulsion, or enrollment in alternative schooling environments. About ten years back, these disparities sparked a reform initiative driven by the broader recognition that led to the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement. This campaign brought attention to what’s known as the "school-to-prison pipeline"—the idea that exclusion from school settings through forced absences or dropouts heightens the likelihood of future encounters with law enforcement and incarceration down the line.

The federal guidelines aimed at tackling racial imbalances in school disciplinary actions were initially introduced during President Barack Obama’s tenure in 2014. At that time, federal authorities advised educational institutions to avoid suspensions, expulsions, or involving students with law enforcement unless absolutely necessary, promoting restorative justice strategies instead, which kept students within classrooms rather than pushing them away. However, these directives were later rescinded under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Nonetheless, both federal and state laws continue to require the gathering of statistics related to student discipline practices.

On Wednesday, Trump instructed McMahon to produce new guidelines for school discipline within 60 days. Additionally, the directive mandates an evaluation of nonprofits advocating for equitable disciplinary practices to confirm they do not qualify for federal funding.

A further directive establishes a federal task force aimed at providing American students with AI education as young as preschool. This group will also focus on developing additional digital learning materials.

Trump is also establishing a White House initiative to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Among other efforts, it would seek to promote private-sector partnerships with HBCUs and schools’ workforce preparation in industries like technology and finance.