The Trump administration proposed new regulations on Thursday to revoke the tax-exempt status of private schools and colleges if they use race in admissions, scholarships or other school-administered programs, the latest effort by the federal government to root out diversity initiatives in education.The rules, proposed by the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, aim to end what administration officials argue is discrimination against white students in favor of students of color."Schools rebranding race-based preferences as equitable, inclusive, or diversity-enhancing does not change their discriminatory nature," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.The proposal follows the Supreme Court's 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decisions, which prohibited most race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities.DOJ OPENS PROBE INTO PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE OVER ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION FAVORING MINORITY STUDENTSThe rules aim to end what administration officials argue is discrimination against white students in favor of students of color.(Mark Schiefelbein/AP)Admissions, educational policies, scholarships and loans, athletics and "every other school-administered or school-supported program" would be covered by the Treasury's proposal.It would apply to any program that considers race, color, or national or ethnic origin "for any purpose," including efforts to address past racial discrimination.The Treasury estimated that the rules could impact as many as 18,000 schools at all education levels and 750,000 students who could be affected because they may qualify for race-based scholarships.The proposal would not prevent private schools from having a religious mission, curriculum or program.
Religious schools could continue to choose students based on religious affiliation, according to the Treasury.The Treasury estimated that the rules could impact as many as 18,000 schools at all education levels and 75...