Overview
- The U.S. Department of Education opened a Title VI investigation into Stanford’s National Board Resource Center over alleged race-based eligibility in a support program for teachers seeking National Board Certification, a voluntary advanced credential.
- Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said Stanford appeared to condition access to certification support on skin color.
- The cohort at issue targeted Black, Indigenous and other teachers of color, offered selected participants full funding, and partnered with the California Teachers Association and UCLA’s National Board Project.
- A Stanford spokesman said the cohort is not accepting new teachers and is being sunsetted, and said the center is open to any primary or secondary teacher regardless of race.
- The action comes as House lawmakers push a STOP DEI bill to tie federal funds to compliance with civil-rights law, and as the Justice Department separately reviews Stanford Medical School admissions.