Harvard continues to feel federal pressure, DEI dismantling affects students with disabilities, and federal judges push back on anti-immigration initiatives.
Higher Education
Harvard has 20 days to submit its admission data to the Department of Education (DOE).
Since March of 2025, the Trump administration has threatened to revoke federal funds from Harvard, alleging noncompliance with Title VI, particularly involving antisemitism and discriminatory admission practices. Most recently, DOE is investigating the university’s undergraduate admissions over reports that it “continues to engage in unlawful racial discrimination” and demanded its admission data. DOE also placed Harvard on its Heightened Cash Monitoring (HCM) list, usually reserved for institutions financially at risk. Harvard students, however, will still have access to federal funding.
K-12
DOE revokes federal guidance for English-learning services.
DOE rescinded a 2015 Dear Colleague letter that explained how schools should provide English language learning services for roughly five million students under Title VI. The Department argued that the letter “micro-managed” states, was “overly prescriptive,” and that “states have vastly different needs for this important population of students and are best equipped to determine how best to educate these students,” according to a statement. Although removing the guidance does not eliminate school resources or force a curriculum change, advocates fear that removing federal oversight could allow school districts to discriminate against English learners.
DEI
National dismantling of DEI continues to impact students with disabilities.
DOE terminated some of its grants for deafblind students because they “don’t align with Trump administration priorities,” according to the Department. The grants historically provided one million dollars for teacher training and development, family resources and training, and other educational materials that served more than 1,300 deafblind children and their families. The Trump administration has eliminated DEI programs among K-12 and higher education, concerning members of the disability rights community.
Legal Rulings
Children without legal status can still enroll in Head Start.
Federal judges in Rhode Island and Washington blocked a Trump administration directive preventing children illegally in the US from enrolling in Head Start, a federally funded preschool program. Several Head Start associations nationwide filed suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who introduced the policy change. The change was part of a broader federal initiative to exclude people without legal status from accessing social services. With the judges’ ruling, the policy is now on hold across the country.
How We Can Help
As education professionals stay informed of all federal updates and prepare for their impact, TIXC can help keep your schools compliant. For general up-to-date information and how it affects you and your institution, join us for TIXC Thursdays on the first Thursday of every month. For more information about our consulting services, including advising, hearing adjudication, and investigation, contact us at info@titleixconsult.com.