Sneak Preview: ED Finalizes Supplemental Priorities for Grant Programs

(The following was excerpted from a recent Thompson Grants Compliance Expert article.) The Department of Education (ED) recently announced three supplemental priorities — evidence-based literacy, education choice and returning education to the states — that it will include when issuing awards under its current and future discretionary grant programs. The priorities, which become effective Oct. 9, replace all other supplemental priorities published prior to Jan. 20, the start of the Trump administration.

ED proposed the supplemental priorities, as well as associated definitions, on May 21 and received comments from more than 1,500 individuals and organizations. While it received many comments in support of the priorities, it also garnered many from those that opposed them. These commentors advocated instead for the priorities issued by the Biden administration in 2021, such as social and emotional learning; diversity, equity and inclusion programs; teacher diversity; and equity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

While ED “appreciates the comments regarding the 2021 supplemental priorities, this administration is focused on addressing the urgent challenges highlighted by the abysmal National Assessment of Educational Progress scores in literacy, expanding learning options and making sure decisions in education are made closest to the child,” the agency responded. “It is necessary to repeal the 2021 priorities because they encourage recipients to violate federal civil rights law — particularly Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — by using race-based preferences and stereotypes, and racial exclusion in their programs and to use federal funds to promote or endorse gender ideology and political activism. Additionally, the 2021 priorities are not consistent with this administration’s focus on merit, fairness and excellence, nor did they center educational decisions with parents and states who understand their children and communities best. ED has long had the discretionary authority to focus grant funds through supplemental priorities, which it has done across several administrations.”

(The full version of this story has now been made available to all for a limited time here.)
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