McCane condemns US Department of Education threat to pull school funding

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, released the following statement after the United States Department of Education ordered all schools K-12 to certify the banning of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within 10 days or they will lose funding.

McCane says the requirement of compliance within 10 days places unnecessary pressure on schools and jeopardizes critical resources for students.

“Threatening to withhold funding from schools that prioritize inclusion and opportunity is an unacceptable federal overreach which amounts to extortion,” said McCane. “Oklahoma has already banned DEI programs making this mandate an unnecessary administrative burden on already overburdened school districts for a political performance by the current administration.”

McCane asserts DEI initiatives play a key role in fostering learning environments that are equitable and free from discrimination as they help prepare students for a diverse workforce and ensure that schools provide necessary resources for all kinds of students.

“As our state works to strengthen its economy, we must recognize that major employers prioritize diversity and inclusion,” McCane added. “Dismantling DEI programs in our schools only sets our students back and makes Oklahoma less competitive.”