The US Department of Justice has spent over 100 million dollars to promote DEI, Restorative Justice, and SEL in schools. A recent report released by Parents Defending Education (PDE), a nonprofit advocating for parental rights in education, shows over $100 million in taxpayer money was spent on proposals promoting restorative justice practices, SEL, and DEI in the classroom from 2021 to 2024.
Distributed through the STOP School Violence Program, these grants aim to enhance school safety and climate by implementing restorative justice practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and DEI initiatives. The report by PDE, highlighted that 102 grants were awarded to 946 school districts to foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.
‘Strategic’ allocation of resources: How has the taxpayers’ money been used?
The $100 million funds allocated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) was invested in initiatives aimed at improving educational environments and promoting equity. The funds were distributed across four primary categories: general initiatives, diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) programs, consulting/certification, and hiring.
Approximately $45.2 million supported broad proposals emphasizing restorative practices and social-emotional learning (SEL), focusing on fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and emotional intelligence among students to reduce disciplinary actions and improve overall well-being.
DEI programs received $32.1 million, targeting systemic disparities and promoting inclusivity through anti-racism and anti-oppression strategies. Another $19.9 million funded consultants and organizations to train staff and students, introducing advanced concepts such as critical race theory and queer theory to enrich school climates.
Finally, $10.3 million was allocated to create roles like restorative justice facilitators, enhancing administrative capacity to implement these initiatives effectively. These investments collectively aim to cultivate more inclusive, equitable, and supportive school environments while addressing systemic challenges.
Assessing the impact: Have the resources been effective?
The allocation of funds toward DEI, SEL, and restorative justice initiatives has produced a range of outcomes, highlighting both successes and challenges.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs have notably enhanced student well-being by fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. Schools implementing SEL have observed improved classroom behavior and mental health support, contributing to positive educational environments.
Similarly, restorative justice practices have reduced suspensions and expulsions in several districts by prioritizing dialogue and reconciliation, strengthening relationships within school communities.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have played a critical role in addressing systemic inequities, particularly for historically underserved groups such as LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students. For example, the Minnesota Department of Education utilized nearly $2 million to embed anti-racism and anti-oppression practices into safe learning environments, while a Penn State project received $1.78 million to combat cyberbullying and advance equity in violence prevention for marginalized communities.
Other notable projects include Bowling Green State University’s $1.85 million effort to integrate mental health curricula in rural and high-poverty districts through mindfulness meditation, yoga, and other activities, and a $1.69 million collaboration between Temple University and the School District of Philadelphia to teach at -risk youth about trauma-informed conflict resolution and anti-bias education.
Taxpayers voice concerns over priorities, transparency, and impact
Despite the ambitious goals of initiatives funded by the $100 million allocation, many taxpayers and parents’ rights groups have voiced dissatisfaction, citing a range of challenges and criticisms.
One significant concern is the diversion of resources from core educational priorities such as academic performance and infrastructure to programs like DEI, SEL, and restorative justice. Critics also highlight transparency concerns, with a lack of clear metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives, leaving many questioning whether the funds genuinely enhance school safety or primarily serve ideological aims.
Furthermore, some districts have struggled with inconsistent implementation, failing to integrate these programs effectively and seeing little improvement in school climate or safety.
Critics argue that restorative justice practices, while well-intentioned, have at times led to classroom disruptions by minimizing consequences for repeated misconduct, thereby undermining discipline. Concerns are further amplified by reports of divisive concepts introduced by external consultants, exacerbating tensions rather than fostering inclusivity.
Additionally, while projects supporting marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities aim to address systemic inequities, detractors argue this focus may alienate other students and stray from universal educational goals. These criticisms collectively fuel dissatisfaction, leaving many taxpayers questioning not the intention but the overall impact and priorities of these expenditures.
