OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction is telling schools in the state to resist the Trump administration’s directive to end Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

Chris Reykdal says his office received a so-called “Dear Colleague Letter” from the U.S. Department of Education that declared DEI programs to be discriminatory and illegal.

The letter stated that the department would begin assessing institutions’ compliance with its new policies around DEI programs by the end of February. Those that are found to be out of compliance could lose federal funding.

Reykdal’s statement says Dear Colleague Letters don’t carry the force of law and advises schools to make no changes to their current policies or practices. He says diversity, equity and inclusion have been “core components” of education in Washington and laments that the words have been “weaponized” in the current political climate.

He reassures schools that his office is working with the Attorney General to determine legal responses to any federal funding cuts.