DOD School Agency Approved $2 Million Contract for DEI Programs: Documents

A report from The Daily Caller News Foundation found that Pentagon-run schools are involved in a contract worth almost $2 million for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The program may cost up to $1,987,347, according to the outlet.

In 2021, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) worked with the firm BCT Partners to develop an “action plan” for DEI implementation.

“DoDEA schools’ demographics reflect those of the US military it serves. The DoDEA senior leadership and HQ staff demographics are not identical to our schools’ demographics,” the contract reads.

“DoDEA recognizes that successful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEi) strategic implementation requires (1) well-informed leadership teams that champion DEI initiatives, (2) engaged leaders, managers, supervisors, and administrators that participate on diversity councils, (3) strong instructional leadership in every school, (4) informed employees that value the impact of race, diversity, equality, and inclusion on DoDEA’s culture, and (5) integrated approaches to promote DEI principles in curriculum implementation, educator preparation, and professional learning,” a background section states.

According to the document, DEI “simply means ‘fairness or justice in the way people are treated, especially when dealing with the seven protected classes of people.’”

The document also contains definitions for DEI terms such as “antiracism,” “gaslighting,” “implicit bias,” and “privilege.”

Some of the objectives of the DEI program include an Evaluation Assessment Report to “identify inequities, barriers, and gaps systemwide that inhibit DEi progress throughout the agency within recruitment and retention, development and promotion, and teaching and learning” and “provide interactive expert DEI consultation services.”

The contract is described as an “indefinite-quantity contract” that may be renewed through May 2028.