Thomas Lawrence Long’s Post

There has been a recent surge in complaints filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP) following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions. This trend is alarming, as it seems to be an attempt to intimidate programs supporting underrepresented groups and "exclude white people." Unfortunately, these tactics have been effective, jeopardizing initiatives like the one aiming to bring more diverse teachers into our classrooms. The Supreme Court's rulings in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina (UNC) and Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard have sparked uncertainty and fear across various sectors, particularly in higher education. The implications, however, extend beyond academia, potentially impacting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts in both public and private settings. The lack of clarity on what is considered legal or acceptable has led to cautious adjustments in admission processes and diversity programs. It's essential to note that DEIB initiatives encompass a wide range of programs beyond affirmative action. Organizations can adopt practices that benefit marginalized groups without excluding others. As we navigate these challenges, finding ways to promote diversity and inclusivity for all remains crucial. It is a shame to see EPP target time Walz and MN in this latest complaint attempt. I hope a program like this one won't be forced to shut down but can pivot to continue the important work of getting more underrepresented people in the state’s teaching workforce. https://lnkd.in/gMS8vZsT

As we navigate discussions on the future of education policy in the U.S., articles like the one below often highlight the divisions between political sides. While these conversations are important, they can sometimes overshadow what truly matters: our shared commitment to ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education and succeed in their chosen path. One of the clearest places we can find common ground is addressing learning loss, a challenge highlighted by the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data. These results show that average scores for fourth and eighth graders in mathematics have declined significantly since the pre-pandemic period in 2019, marking the first recorded drop in math scores since 1990. Reading scores have also declined, continuing a troubling trend that has only been deepened by the pandemic’s impact. These findings are a call to action for all of us—regardless of political affiliation—to focus on solutions that will address these gaps and support students in regaining lost ground. The question is, how do we create opportunities for discussions centered on strategies that benefit students without partisan barriers? I believe it starts by shifting the conversation away from political personalities and toward policies and practices that serve our students best. We need to find areas where both sides can agree, such as accelerating learning by scaling research-based interventions and equipping teachers with the tools, training, and support needed to enhance Tier 1 instruction. These are the places where we (educators, policymakers, community members) can come together and foster productive dialogue. What are some ways we can work across the aisle to make student achievement and education reform a shared priority? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can bridge divides and keep the focus on what matters most—our students.

Today, I'm overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts I can't express. I'm frustrated by the false portrayal of DEI work, which unfairly demonizes those of us in the field. It's exhausting to constantly confront racist ideologies in every sphere. And I am getting tired of having to hold my tongue & mencing words about it too. Texas State Sen. Brandon Creighton said In the letter, he warns that “merely renaming DEI offices or positions” is not complying with SB 17, and that universities’ funding could be frozen or they could face legal action if they don’t comply. “Now that SB 17 is law, I’m confident that Texas public colleges and universities can return to their core mission of innovation and education – and if they do not, the Texas Senate will be resolute in enforcement of this legislation,” wrote Creighton. What the hell does this even mean? Return? UT had to shutter the Division of Campus and Community Engagement (DCCE), after changing the name and replacing the word DIVERSITY with CAMPUS, which recently hosted a campus-wide women’s history month celebration, and offered a restorative justice program to help students address problems in relationship dynamics. UT President Jay Hartzell said disability services, University Interscholastic League, UT charter schools, and other “volunteer and community programs” will be continued as part of other divisions. Funding that was used to support DEI will be “redeployed to support teaching and research.” Today, I am really over it. DEI in the Month of March was replaced with “The N Word” essentially on the Internet. I'm tired of battling white extremism, misinformation, and the misconception that my expertise did not get me here, but “DEI did and not merit.” #socialtalk #history #dei #faculty #professor #DoddsEducates #UnitedStates #USA #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Polialertcom #governnment #Education #Diversity #Inclusion #America #HigherEducation #SB17 #Texas

Florida has been nefarious in its implementation of SB266, which states public universities must not use state dollars to fund DEI initiatives. The language of SB266 was broad, so the implementation was passed off to the Board of Governors, who, instead of providing oversight, amplified the intent of the bill. Not only are DEI programs being dismantled, but campus activism has been stifled as well, as social topics "polarize or divide society among" certain beliefs. The harm does not just cover social spaces but the academic space as well, as the Florida State Board of Ed happily hacked into the curriculum and cut the "radically woke" course Principles of Sociology. I've been seriously concerned about UNF for a while, but also, of course, I'm concerned about UF. Over a year ago, the Florida Board of Governors installed Ben Sasse, the adorable, smiling U.S. Senator from Nebraska who spoke against Trump while in the Senate, to lead UF. While Sasse seems well-adjusted, when it comes to the issue of student rights and equality, this person -- who was installed "in consultation with an outside consultant" in such a way that the UF Faculty Senate subsequently approved a formal no-confidence vote -- is very unlikely to put up resistance against the state's initiatives to harm LGBTQ+ students. So, with that context, I can share that The University of Florida has dismissed all DEI employees and eliminated their roles in order to stay in compliance with SB 266:

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently made a change to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools, universities, and state agencies. Exploring options outside the state could benefit families and students in Alabama and Florida who are looking for places that embrace diversity. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are essential in empowering minority students through education, building a tight-knit community, and developing leadership abilities within a supportive setting. These institutions are crucial for American students' career achievements, serving as important hubs for preserving and advancing culture. Also, institutions like the University of California Berkeley, Illinois State University, and the University of Michigan are known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. These schools support programs to create an academic environment for students from various backgrounds and equip all students to thrive in a multicultural society. Borders or laws should not limit the pursuit of knowledge. #ExpandHorizons #DiversityMatters #ExploreOptions #EmbraceInclusion  https://lnkd.in/gnYDkTBa #LearnWithoutLimits #InclusiveEducation #YesHBCU #YesBerkeley #YesISU #YesUMich

We must be vigilant as a nation to not go backward. Here is one of the causes and effects of removing affirmative action from college admission. "Less than three months after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, the ruling is doing pretty much exactly what experts said it would at top schools." #diversity #equity #inclusion #education #nextgeneration #dismantleracism

It’s #TalkAboutItTuesday and the hot topic is… #AffirmativeAction 1️⃣ It’s perhaps too early to project the long-term implications of the overturning of affirmative action in higher education but we certainly know the short-term outcomes aren’t looking good for Black, Latino, Native American and Asian students, particularly at PWIs like Harvard University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale University. 2️⃣ We can also learn from the research of Princeton University professors like Zachary Bleemer who studied the ending of affirmative action in California in 1998. What “you saw was this immediate decline between 40 and 50% of Black and Hispanic enrollment at University of California, Berkeley and UCLA, the two most selective schools in the state,” Bleemer said. Bleemer’s research also tracked the lasting effects of the ban over the next decade and found that more than 1,000 fewer students from underrepresented minority groups applied to University of California schools each year. For Black and Hispanic students, losing access to California’s most selective colleges and universities also had long-term economic consequences. 3️⃣ Make sure you vote in November. The overturning of affirmative action was not happenstance. Ed Blum and the supreme court made this happen. There’s a domino effect happening, and I certainly hope you’re paying full attention, as it’s playing out right before our eyes. You can either be proactive or reactive but the choice is yours. #RaceConsciousness #AffirmativeAction #Inclusion #Equity #HigherEducation #Diversity

For those interested in following the attack on and attempt at dismantling the ideas of #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion in #HigherEducation check out this piece in the The Chronicle of Higher Education which has tracked changes as 153 college campuses in 20 states. https://lnkd.in/etMf3YQz

When faced with DEI budget cuts, it's crucial to consider the impact on the support systems for underrepresented students on campus and employees. Eliminating programs designed to increase representation and support sends a powerful message. Reflecting on whether there are enough support structures in place is key. Many leaders are failing at advocating for DEI; I commend the courageous students that are leading the way, such as Akshay Gokul, Gabrielle Perry, and Kyle MacLellan. Kudos to each of you! Check out this article in The Chronicle of Higher Education to learn more about them and the challenges they and many of our students across the nation are facing: https://rb.gy/btfgpe #DEI #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #HigherEducation #SupportSystems

In the realm of higher education, the pursuit of knowledge should be boundless, and the hallways of our institutions should be open to all who seek to learn, irrespective of their various and intersecting identities. As regressive, anti-DEI legislation abounds, the very essence of higher education is under threat. At its heart, academia fundamentally fosters critical thinking through a consideration of diverse perspectives, ideas, experiences, and voices. And yes, sometimes those voices might run counter to our current individual sensibilities or sometimes they cross the line into hate. There is already legislation for that. And while the scale by which ‘hate’ is defined moves with the changing context of our society, the response can’t be to go backward. Proponents of this legislation point to what they classify as a significant shift to the ‘left’ in higher education. They use one-off stories, the more egregious the better, to justify eliminating any discussion of ideas that threaten status quo inequity and oppression. Advancing equity and inclusion in higher education is not merely a matter of political correctness; it is an imperative for societal advancement. Anti-DEI legislation perpetuates systemic inequalities and hinders progress that has been made. On any day, higher education leadership has to grapple with decisions about what is permitted or not, to take place on their campuses and in their classrooms. These decisions are even more acute in light of our current context. Done right, academia should be divisive. Not to create antagonism, but to encourage the exchange of ideas that conflict. https://lnkd.in/g6eakdrH