The Retreat of Race-Conscious Federal Education Policy Since 2017: An Interbranch Perspective

• In Event: The Role of Grassroots Organizers, Federal Policy Makers, Intermediary Organizations, and Policy Making Toward Educational Equity

Abstract

This paper traces federal policy changes in race-conscious education policies of the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice during the Obama to Trump administration transition. This study is informed by conceptual insights on intergovernmental and interbranch relationships. We analyze interviews with USED and DOJ career and political staff, legislative staff, intermediary organizations, and funders and draw from document analysis and observations. Under the Trump administration, Obama administration policies have been vacated or rolled back. Although most actions were from the executive branch, federal courts have halted several Trump administration efforts to curtail Obama-era executive branch policies and Congress has also, albeit in low visibility efforts. We consider implications for the federal role for equity and protecting students’ civil rights.

Authors

• Erica Frankenberg, The Pennsylvania State University

• Kathryn A. McDermott, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Janelle T. Scott, University of California - Berkeley

• Elizabeth H. DeBray, University of Georgia

• Genevieve Parker Siegel-Hawley, Virginia Commonwealth University