Consequences of and Responses to Politicized Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Schools

Politicized attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have reshaped educational policy landscapes across the United States, constraining what educators can teach and what students are permitted to learn. Fueled by misinformation and ideological divides, these efforts have extended from the White House, governors’ offices, and state legislatures to local school boards and educational institutions, resulting in various material, professional, and educational harms. This Peabody Journal of Education themed issue highlights the scope and consequences of anti-DEI policymaking, as well as educators’ and parents’ responses to it. Collectively, the contributions offer empirically grounded analyses of harm, resistance, and strategic adaptation, illuminating what is at stake for equity and democracy in America’s K-12 schools.