BCAT News

President Donald Trump and Republicans, who presently make up the majority body of both chambers of the U.S. Congress, are dismantling the federal government through mass firings of federal employees and the closing of numerous agencies and departments that protect the environment and social services for working Americans. 

On February 14, President Trump’s administration issued a two-week ultimatum for schools and universities across the United States to end all programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion or risk losing federal funding. 

 President Trump said he plans to dismantle the Department of Education, too. That department has already canceled some $600 million in grants for teacher training on race, social justice and other related topics that it does not like. 

President Trump chose Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, to be the head of the Department of Education. She had promised to follow through with President Trump’s order to dismantle the department and eliminate DEI programs. 

In stark contrast, Danielle Holley, the President of Massachusetts’ Mount Holyoke College, has urged education leaders to stand up to the Trump administration and not voluntarily end diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives.

 The Burlington Public Schools had a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for one year, from 2021 – 2022, but that director left the school district in early fall of 2022. 

In lieu of a DEI director, the Burlington Public Schools now utilizes two staff as curriculum coaches with a DEI focus; one staff doing this work is at the middle school and the other is at the high school. What does President Trump’s ultimatum to end all programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion mean now for Burlington High School? 

 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Chen answered that Burlington High School does their best to make sure students feel seen and heard while learning. 

 “I think that the belief system is that we’re continuing our work of ensuring all our materials are from a lens that represents all students,” Dr. Chen said. 

 She expressed a commitment to working on making math curriculum accessible for all students and has overseen an equity audit for math curriculum.

 “We realized that for math, there were some tracks that weren’t accessible to all students and so we’ve worked really hard to put in more pathways,” she said. 

 Dr. Chen emphasized that it is important to her that all students feel represented in the classroom. 

 Principal Mr. Mark Sullivan reported that he believes in fostering a learning environment where all students feel heard and supported. 

 “I think we try to send the message all students are welcome” he said. “All students are seen and valued, and they have opportunities to discuss things with peers and adults.” 

 When asked about the ways students are supported in school, Mr. Sullivan said students have access to guidance counselors and student associations such as Southern Asian Students Association, the Black Student Association, the Gay Straight Alliance, the Spectrum Club, the Advocacy Room and Amnesty International. 

 Mr. Sullivan also mentioned that the school district provides free meals, free bus transportation, free tutoring, and pays for students to take tests like the PSAT and SAT. 

 According to the Trump administration, programs like student associations, free school meals and free transportation fall under the category of “DEI”, but Mr. Sullivan sees these programs as student resources. 

“I think about creating equitable access and high-level opportunities for all kids to be successful and thrive here at Burlington High School,” Mr. Sullivan said. “I don’t view those as DEI programs. I view them as having kind of a 360-degrees of services and opportunities for all kids.”

 Senior Jack Carey, an ally of the Gay Straight Alliance club, reported positively about that club’s impact on school climate. “As far as events have gone, the GSA has – in my experience – been very proactive in including BHS students in the wider LGBT community in the town of Burlington, helping to host pride events and give a safe space for LGBT students to communicate concerns at BHS and the wider Burlington community.” The GSA provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. 

President Trump’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have not yet changed things at Burlington High School, where changes to DEI initiatives occurred before he was sworn in for a second term as president.

As Dr. Chen and Mr. Sullivan explained, the administrators and educators at BHS are committed to academic achievement for all students and work on fostering a safe and welcoming place for all students.