The Biden administration has awarded over $100 million in Department of Justice (DOJ) grants between 2021 and 2024 to support initiatives promoting restorative justice practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and social-emotional learning (SEL) in K-12 schools across the nation.
According to an investigation by Parents Defending Education, this extensive investment, part of the STOP School Violence Program, aims to improve school climate and safety by addressing systemic inequities and fostering inclusive educational environments.
The funding, totaling $100,113,942, encompasses 102 grants distributed across 36 states, impacting at least 946 school districts and more than 3.2 million students. The true number of districts and students affected is likely higher due to limited available data.
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The grants were categorized into four main areas:
- General Initiatives: $45.2 million for projects broadly mentioning restorative practices or SEL.
- DEI-Focused Initiatives: $32 million for proposals aimed at addressing inequities and improving outcomes for specific demographic groups.
- Consulting and Certification: $19.9 million for hiring external consultants to train staff and students, often introducing controversial topics like critical race theory and gender theory.
- Hiring New Staff: $10.3 million for adding roles like restorative justice facilitators.
Key Highlights and Projects
- Minnesota Department of Education: Received nearly $2 million to create “anti-racism and anti-oppression” learning environments.
- Bowling Green State University (OH): Awarded $1.85 million to implement a student mental health curriculum, including mindfulness meditation, yoga, and knitting circles.
- Penn State (PA): Received $1.78 million to tackle cyberbullying, focusing on equity for historically underserved groups.
- Temple University (PA) and Philadelphia Schools: Secured $1.68 million to teach at-risk youth about trauma, community policing, and anti-bias education.
- Jurupa Valley Unified School District (CA): Granted $1 million for a project addressing LGBTQIA+ issues and conflict mediation aligned with California Senate Bill 857.
- Milwaukee Public Schools (WI): Awarded $986,757 for initiatives promoting racial equity in collaboration with organizations like Courageous Conversations About Race.
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The DOJ’s STOP School Violence Program funds projects designed to improve school safety by enhancing school climate. However, critics argue that the emphasis on restorative practices and SEL diverts resources from more traditional and immediate measures of discipline, like exclusionary practices, which focus on removing disruptive students to allow uninterrupted learning for others.
Restorative justice practices often involve bringing offenders and victims together to discuss incidents and repair harm, a process some believe disrupts the classroom further.
Meanwhile, SEL, once aimed at teaching personal development skills, has evolved into “Transformative SEL,” which prioritizes collective equity over individual learning.
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Supporters of these programs argue they foster inclusivity and address systemic inequities, improving overall school safety and student well-being.
Critics contend that the shift toward restorative practices and DEI-driven initiatives diverts focus from academic achievement and disrupts traditional classroom environments.
The DOJ maintains that these grants are critical for addressing school violence and fostering environments conducive to learning, while some educators and parents call for a balanced approach that preserves discipline and academic rigor.
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