Trump Administration Orders Seminole Schools to End Latino Program

The Trump administration has mandated that Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) discontinue the “Latinos in Action” program, which was designed to support Latino students in their quest to graduate from high school. The directive, issued by the U.S. Department of Education, claims that the program may be engaging in discriminatory practices based on race.

On Friday, SCPS informed parents and students that the program, which operated at ten high schools within the district, would be terminated. In response, the district announced the creation of a new initiative called “Leaders in Action,” aimed at promoting similar values of leadership and community service.

Broader Implications for School Districts

Broward County Public Schools is also discontinuing its “Latinos in Action” courses following a similar directive from the Trump administration, as reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Notably, both the Orange and Osceola school districts, which also participated in the same program, stated they had not received any such orders.

This federal action aligns with a broader initiative from the Department of Education earlier this year, which urged school districts and universities to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as race-based admissions policies. Since then, the department has targeted specific programs for elimination, including Latinos in Action.

The “Latinos in Action” initiative has been active in Seminole high schools for the past nine years. In a letter dated September 24, 2023, Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, contended that the program’s structure requires 80% of its participants to be Latino, allowing only 20% from other racial or ethnic backgrounds. He described this as “prohibited racial balancing.”

According to the program’s website, “Latinos in Action” employs an asset-based approach aimed at bridging the graduation and opportunity gap for all students. The website does not mention the 80% figure, and a spokesperson for Seminole Schools emphasized that the program was open to all students.

Future of Student Leadership Initiatives

Michael Ollendorff, a spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools, indicated that they had not received the same communication as Seminole. Similarly, Dana Schafer, a spokesperson for Osceola County Schools, confirmed that no order had been issued to them either. Orange County has 30 middle and high schools offering the program, while Osceola has 12.

The “Leaders in Action” program will also be open to all students and will focus on community service, leadership development, and skills necessary for college and career readiness. The Seminole district is currently in the process of developing the curriculum for this new program, which will take effect after the winter break.

Kristine Kraus, chair of the Seminole County School Board, expressed surprise at the administration’s letter. She remarked, “Our LIA students have an incredible bond both in and outside school. We will create an even stronger program with teacher input and hopefully continue to grow the program.”

As this situation evolves, the impact of federal directives on local educational initiatives remains a critical point of discussion, especially regarding inclusivity and support for diverse student populations.