SE Grand Rapids News

State Representative Gina Johnsen has initiated efforts to ensure compliance with recent directives from the U.S. Department of Education regarding race-based policies in educational institutions. Johnsen, along with 14 colleagues, addressed a letter to the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. The letter urges these state agencies to align with federal orders prohibiting race-based practices in institutions receiving federal funding.

Johnsen stated, "Everyone in our schools – from kindergartners to superintendents – should have the right to excel and succeed based on the merits of their own person, not the color of their skin." She emphasized that Republicans are not trying to remove diversity but want individuals judged by their work and skill rather than immutable characteristics.

The U.S. Department of Education issued an order on February 14 clarifying that educational institutions must not consider race in various aspects such as admissions, hiring, promotions, scholarships, financial aid, disciplinary actions, and campus life. States were given until February 28 to comply.

Johnsen expressed concern over potential penalties for non-compliance due to disagreements at the state level. "My primary focus is ensuring that Michigan schools are not punished for failure to comply with an order just because state officials may disagree with it," she said.

This directive follows a Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023), which declared race-based admissions policies unconstitutional. The current administration under President Trump is enforcing compliance nationwide after previous guidelines remained unchanged post-ruling.

Johnsen further noted the importance of quick action: "Given the federal government’s authority to withhold funding from noncompliant institutions, we urge both MDE and MiLEAP to take swift action." She requested updates on how Michigan's education policies will be adjusted before the February 28 deadline.

The legislators also called for a detailed compliance plan addressing necessary revisions in existing programs or policies incorporating race-based considerations.