Green Bay school district cuts race-related language from two policies; second DEI change
Driven by federal funding threats, the Green Bay Area Public School District voted unanimously Monday to remove more language on diversity, equity and inclusion, this time from district policies.
The two policies affected will cut provisions aiming to address achievement gaps and representation in high-level programs. These cuts, along with similar changes in late February, show the fear of losing key federal funding that's supporting programs across the district.
At the February meeting, every board member spoke out about their disapproval of the change, even though a 4-3 majority voted in favor. This time, there was no discussion.
The district changed two policies: one on reading instruction and another on gifted and talented programs. It also changed policies on grade promotion and retention, but it states in a memo that those changes are to meet state Act 20 requirements.
The policy on reading goals eliminates a goal set less than a year ago for 10% more Black students in third through 11th grade to meet grade-level standards. The old version of the policy states the goal was set after data showed 'the district is meeting the needs of some student groups better than others.'
The other policy, on gifted and talented students, cuts a requirement that the district self-assess and report on how its gifted student identification process could better respond to different demographic groups.
Achievement gaps between Black and white students in Wisconsin are some of the worst in the nation. In 2024, 38% of white Wisconsin fourth graders tested 'proficient' or better in reading compared to 8% of Black students, according to results from the U.S. Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress test.
The changes are based on federal guidance issued Feb. 14 and clarified Feb. 28, saying school districts and colleges can't treat students differently based on race – that includes actions aiming to balance out historical inequities, like affirmative action. If schools don't comply, the guidance letter threatens federal funding.
The Green Bay school district receives about $38 million in federal funding annually. Those dollars support programs like free and reduced lunch, Title I, special education and Head Start. Without that funding, some or all of those programs would disappear, district communications director Lori Blakeslee said.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay school district cuts race-related language from two policies
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