The Trump administration opened an investigation Wednesday into whether Stanford University violated federal anti-discrimination law with a program to boost teachers who aren’t White or Asian-American.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said that Stanford may have violated Title VI by limiting the initiative for teachers seeking National Board Certification to applicants who “identify as a person of color.”
Stanford Graduate School of Education’s National Board Resource Center partnered with the California Teachers Association and the UCLA National Board Project on the fully funded program, entitled the “Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Cohort.”
“Instead of helping students achieve their goals through merit, Stanford appears to be conditioning access to National Board Certification programs based on skin color,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey in a statement.
“It is unconscionable that an institution which claims to be a pinnacle of educational excellence would deny opportunities based on race,” she said.
A Stanford spokesperson said the university is winding down the program and no longer accepting teacher applicants.
“Stanford University is committed to meeting its obligations under the federal Civil Rights Act and maintaining an environment free of prohibited discrimination,” the spokesperson told Higher Ed Dive.
The investigation comes in response to a complaint filed March 16 by Defending Education alleging that Stanford violated Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin.
“Stanford has adopted, implemented, and enforced a racially discriminatory program and it maintains this program through the present day,” Sarah Parshall Perry, Defending Education vice president and legal fellow, said in the letter.
She said that the “BIPOC cohort program is still active throughout the 2025-2026 school year,” citing information from the California Teachers Association.
It is unacceptable for any institution to deny opportunity based on race.
The Trump Administration will fight for fairness, uphold the law, and ensure every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.https://t.co/diTmCznhR5
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) April 29, 2026
The National Board described its certification on its website as “the most respected” in K-12 education, a credential that helps teachers earn higher salaries, faster promotions and other benefits.
“It’s a shame that Stanford University – an institution with a storied history of academic excellence – cannot seem to find its way clear on complying with antidiscrimination law,” Ms. Perry said in a Wednesday statement.
The department has aggressively pursued investigations against universities and school districts suspected of violating Title VI with race-based initiatives, citing President Trump’s executive order banning DEI practices in institutions that receive federal funding.
“We are gratified that the Department of Education is taking a closer look at Stanford in an effort to ensure all teachers have access to National Board certification programs – no matter who they are,” Ms. Perry said.
