Minnesota Schools Allow Funds for 'Race-Based' Programs

Over 50 districts adopt policy allowing use of taxpayer money for race-focused initiatives

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:36pm

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More than 50 Minnesota school districts have adopted a policy that allows taxpayer funds to be used for race-based programs and financial incentives for teachers of color, drawing criticism from education watchdog groups who say the policies are "immoral and anti-American".

Why it matters

The adoption of these race-based policies in Minnesota schools reflects a broader trend of social justice activism and leftist ideology being pushed in the state's education system, raising concerns about fairness, equal treatment, and the appropriate use of public funds.

The details

The policy, titled "Policy 425 - Staff Development and Mentoring", states that districts can use staff development revenue, grants, or other funding sources to provide "additional stipends as incentives to mentors of color or who are American Indian," financial support for affinity groups for "teachers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups," and other race-focused professional development programming. The policy also includes provisions to protect teachers of color and American Indian teachers from being laid off in the early years of employment.

  • In 2018, the Edina School District was teaching kindergartners about 'white privilege'.
  • In 2021, a fourth grader in the Sartell-St. Stephen school district revealed that students were required to complete an 'equity survey' and told not to share the questions with their parents.
  • In 2022, medical students at the University of Minnesota swore an oath to fight 'white supremacy, colonialism, gender binary, ableism and all forms of oppression'.
  • In 2025, the University of Minnesota offered 'whiteness pandemic' resources for 'anti-racist parenting'.

The players

Defending Education

A nonprofit group whose purpose is to 'restore schools at all levels from activists imposing harmful agendas'.

Rhyen Staley

The director of research at Defending Education.

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What they’re saying

“These policies reflect a deeply entrenched far-left ideology throughout the entire Minnesota education system that flies in the face of longstanding jurisprudence and the historic sacrifices Civil Rights leaders and supporters have made over decades. These policies and practices are immoral and anti-American and must be stopped.”

— Rhyen Staley, Director of Research, Defending Education (The Center Square)

The takeaway

The adoption of race-based policies in Minnesota schools highlights the ongoing debate over the role of identity politics and social justice initiatives in public education, with critics arguing that such programs undermine principles of equality and fairness.