President Trump has issued an executive order to close the Department of Education, which will reshape federal education policy and affect 49.5 million students.

The U.S. Department of Education rescinded a previously approved year's extension for COVID relief funds in late March.

The Department of Education threatened to cut federal funding from K-12 public schools if they fail to comply with “anti-discrimination obligations.” On Thursday, the agency sent letters to state commissioners overseeing K-12 State Education Agencies giving them 10 days to send confirmation of compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,

The department sent a letter to state leaders threatening the loss of funds for K-12 schools that don't follow its interpretation of civil rights laws.

The threat is to withhold support from public schools unless states kill programs the administration says unfairly promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

As a condition for receiving federal money, the Trump administration is ordering K-12 schools to certify that they are following federal civil rights laws and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right,” the nation’s top acting civil rights official said.