Story perspectives

Critics Slam Minnesota's Race-Based Education Funding Policies

3/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Over 50 Minnesota districts use taxpayer funds under Policy 425 – Staff Development and Mentoring – to support race-based programs.
Policy 425 funds incentives for teachers of color and race-focused affinity-group support.
Critics, including Rhyen Staley of Defending Education, say these policies promote far-left ideology that violates civil rights.
Staley calls the practices immoral and anti-American, and urges cessation.
The policy faces scrutiny amid concerns about social justice activism in education.

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Story summary

Over 50 Minnesota districts use taxpayer funds under Policy 425 – Staff Development and Mentoring – to support race-based programs.
Policy 425 funds incentives for teachers of color and race-focused affinity-group support.
Critics, including Rhyen Staley of Defending Education, say these policies promote far-left ideology that violates civil rights.
Staley calls the practices immoral and anti-American, and urges cessation.
The policy faces scrutiny amid concerns about social justice activism in education.