Connecticut Won’t Sign Federal Anti-DEI Letter, Officials Say

Connecticut has joined a group of states declining to sign a letter from the U.S. Department of Education certifying Title VI compliance that singles out what the department called “illegal DEI practices.”

In a written statement, Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker said the state had replied to the letter stating Connecticut “already does and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

“We will continue to build on the collective efforts of our educators, families, and school communities to create learning environments where every student is valued and supported,” Russell-Tucker said. “We remain focused on the work happening in our schools every day and are staunchly committed to ensuring that all our 508,402 students have access to a universe of opportunities.”

The letter from the federal department threatened “serious consequences” for continuing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, including loss of federal funding and litigation for what it referred to as “the continued use of illegal DEI practices.”

In response, Russell-Tucker wrote that Connecticut “remains committed to safeguarding Connecticut students against the insidious effects of discrimination and continues to align its principles and programs with the requirements and purpose of Title VI, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.”

She added that the Title VI reminder from the federal department stated that DEI programs and “certain DEI practices” may violate federal law, but it does not define those terms. The state education department is unaware of any state or federal statutes prohibiting diversity, equity or inclusion.

FILE PHOTO: Gov. Ned Lamont chairs a meeting of the state bond commission on Friday, April 11 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie

Lamont said Connecticut is “proud to support the incredible diversity of our schools and work tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to a quality education and the best opportunity at the starting line in life.”

He said the state’s commitment to education has made Connecticut schools nationally recognized and “we plan to continue doing what makes our students, teachers, and schools successful.”

Lamont and Russell-Tucker in their statement also wrote that Connecticut strives to create “positive, supportive, and healthy environments that promote acceptance and respect.”