Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Frequently Asked Questions for School Boards

The debate surrounding the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (“DEI”) bill brought strong emotions and even national attention. Some of us have legitimate concerns about any law that impacts educational freedom—especially when that law addresses the issue of race, ethnicity, gender and other sensitive topics. Still, the original bill that was introduced in February and the law that was ultimately signed into law have important differences. This is why it’s extremely important that we always look beyond the headlines and look at the actual language of the law. Now that the bill has been signed into law, we hope these FAQs will help you navigate what the law allows and does not allow in your schools, training programs and even the impact for AASB and other entities. As with any new law, it will take some time to flesh out and interpret what the law means through State Department guidance, Attorney General’s opinions and case law. As always, reach out to your local counsel for legal advice.