Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies

4/23/2025

Executive Orders

View Original

Action Summary

Purpose and Policy: Reinstates common sense school discipline by ending practices based on “discriminatory equity” ideology, which have compromised the safety and order of American classrooms.
Historical Context: Reviews the 2014 “Dear Colleague” letter that led to race-based disciplinary metrics, its negative impact as documented in the 2018 Federal Commission on School Safety report, and the subsequent reinstatement of such practices in 2023 guidance.
Definitions: Applies definitions from the January 29, 2025 Executive Order and defines “Behavior Modification Techniques” as discipline policies rooted in discriminatory equity ideology.
Implementation Timeline:
- Within 30 days: Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, will issue new guidance to local and state educational agencies.
- Within 60 days: Coordination between the Secretary of Education, Attorney General, Governors, and State Attorneys General to prevent racial discrimination in school discipline.
- Within 90 days: Secretary of Defense to release a revised school discipline code for military-service family children.
- Within 120 days: Submission of a comprehensive report on discriminatory-equity-based discipline practices, including analyses, non-profit roles, and recommendations for model discipline policies.
General Provisions: Confirms that the order does not impair existing legal authorities, is consistent with applicable law, and does not create any enforceable rights against the government.
Signing Authority: Signed by President Donald J. Trump on April 23, 2025, reinforcing its legitimacy and immediate implementation.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order reinstates a focus on race-neutral school discipline policies, which may lead to changes in how schools manage student behavior. This could impact the educational environment and safety in schools, potentially affecting the preparedness of students entering higher education institutions like Vanderbilt University.
There is a risk that the emphasis on removing discriminatory equity ideology from school discipline could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges for educational institutions that have previously adopted such policies. This may require schools to reassess their disciplinary frameworks and training programs.
The order’s requirement for new guidance and coordination with state and local agencies may result in a shift in educational priorities and funding, which could affect partnerships and collaborations with universities.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in K-12 discipline policies could affect its future student body, particularly in terms of behavior, safety, and diversity.

Impacted Programs

Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt may need to adjust its curriculum and research focus to align with the new federal guidelines on school discipline. This could present opportunities for research on the impacts of race-neutral discipline policies.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Community Engagement might play a role in supporting local schools as they transition to new discipline policies, ensuring that they continue to provide a safe and effective learning environment.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion may need to evaluate its strategies and programs to ensure they align with the new federal stance on equity and discipline in education.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal funds towards compliance with the new discipline policies could impact the funding landscape for educational institutions, potentially affecting grants and financial support for programs that previously focused on equity-based initiatives.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize race-neutral discipline policies. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in educational policy and reform, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Education and other federal agencies.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential changes in educational policy and partnerships.)

Key Actions

Peabody College of Education and Human Development should review and potentially revise its curriculum and research focus to align with the new federal guidance on school discipline. This includes exploring the implications of removing discriminatory equity ideology from school discipline policies and understanding how these changes might impact educational practices and outcomes.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the issuance of new guidance by the Secretary of Education and the Attorney General regarding school discipline. Engaging with state and local educational agencies to ensure compliance with Title VI protections against racial discrimination will be crucial for maintaining federal funding and influence.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Department should assess the potential legal implications of the executive order on the university’s partnerships with local educational agencies. Ensuring that these partnerships do not inadvertently support discriminatory-equity-ideology-based discipline practices will be essential for compliance and risk management.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader societal impacts of the changes in school discipline policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect educational equity, community dynamics, and long-term educational outcomes.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Child and Family Policy should engage in policy analysis and advocacy regarding the implications of the executive order. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence how school discipline policies are shaped and implemented at the state and local levels.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Peabody College to expand its research and development of school discipline models that align with traditional values and virtues. By leveraging its expertise in education policy and reform, Peabody can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective discipline policies, potentially influencing national education policy.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on common sense school discipline by developing new programs and partnerships with educational institutions. This could include joint research initiatives, student exchange programs, and collaborative curriculum development, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and reach in the education sector.
The emphasis on supporting military-service families through revised school discipline codes offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Military and Veterans Affairs Office to engage in outreach and support programs. By understanding the mechanisms available for military families, Vanderbilt can tailor its services to better serve this community.
By engaging with the broader educational community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on school discipline reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of these policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative educational thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on educational practices and partnerships.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.8

Timeline for Implementation

Within 30 days: The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, must issue new guidance to LEAs and SEAs regarding school discipline.
Within 60 days: The Secretary of Education and the Attorney General shall coordinate with Governors and State Attorneys General on preventing racial discrimination in school discipline.
Within 90 days: The Secretary of Defense is to issue a revised school discipline code for the children of America’s military-service families.
Within 120 days: The Secretary of Education, coordinated with the Attorney General, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, must submit a report to the President on discriminatory-equity-ideology-based school discipline practices.

Relevance Score: 4

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Education: Tasked with issuing new guidance to Local and State Educational Agencies (LEAs and SEAs), enforcing compliance with revised Title VI protections, and coordinating reports on school discipline.
Department of Justice – Attorney General: Required to collaborate with the Department of Education and state-level officials to ensure that school discipline practices do not violate Title VI protections.
Department of Defense: Directed to issue a revised school discipline code specifically to support the children of military-service families.
Department of Health and Human Services: Involved in the coordination for submitting a comprehensive report on discriminatory school discipline practices and behavior modification techniques.
Department of Homeland Security: Also participates in the multi-agency effort to compile a report on school discipline policies that impact safety and equal treatment in education.
Local and State Educational Agencies (LEAs & SEAs): Impacted as the primary recipients of updated guidance regarding school discipline practices and compliance with non-discriminatory policies.
State Governors and State Attorneys General: Engaged in coordination efforts to ensure state-level enforcement and prevention of racial discrimination in school discipline.

Relevance Score: 3 (Multiple Federal agencies and state/local authorities are impacted by the executive order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Education – Tasked with issuing new guidance for local and state educational agencies, addressing compliance with Title VI, and preparing a comprehensive report in coordination with other Cabinet officials.
Attorney General – Responsible for consulting with the Secretary of Education on guidance issuance, coordinating with state officials, and collaborating on the report regarding school discipline practices.
Secretary of Defense – Directed to issue a revised school discipline code specifically designed to enhance the education of children belonging to military-service families.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Collaborates in the preparation of the report concerning the status and impacts of disciplinary policies in schools.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Works in coordination with the other officials on the report addressing discriminatory practices in school discipline.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directives affect multiple Cabinet-level officials responsible for high-impact policy implementation.)