Keyword policing cuts disability grants

The Education Department retroactively reviewed special‑education grants and canceled funding for deaf‑blind programs in eight states after finding DEI‑related language (e.g., 'inequities, racism') or policies it said conflicted with a new emphasis on 'merit.' Letters cited 'divisive concepts' and even noted a school district’s unrelated 'Center for Black Student Excellence' as a conflict. About $1 million per year—serving over 1,000 deaf‑blind students in the affected states—will stop at month’s end. — It shows anti‑DEI enforcement migrating from HR and higher ed into K‑12 special education via retroactive, keyword‑based grant cancellation, signaling how ideological battles can reshape services for vulnerable students.