Native American families in South Dakota are voicing anger and disappointment after the U.S. Department of Education backed out of a long-standing agreement meant to address discipline disparities and limited academic opportunities for Native students in Rapid City schools.
The federal deal was originally created to address findings that Native students were suspended and arrested at rates far higher than their white peers.
But last month, the Education Department announced it would end the agreement, saying it was improperly based on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—something the Trump administration now views as discriminatory.
Valeriah Big Eagle, a mother of three and a local advocate, says this decision feels like a betrayal. “Instead of using restorative practices, the first thing schools do is call the police,” she said. “The school-to-prison pipeline is real for our kids.”
The agreement included training on implicit bias, better tracking of disciplinary actions, and expanding access to advanced classes—reforms the district says it will continue voluntarily. Still, many parents are skeptical.
Nick Tilsen of NDN Collective said the district has a history of failing to follow through without oversight. “They can’t just say they’re doing the work when the data shows they’re not,” he said.
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The case is part of a broader rollback of civil rights oversight under Trump’s administration, which has also pulled back a similar agreement in Georgia. Officials say they’re reviewing others for possible repeal.
Critics argue the move ignores deep, systemic issues. “If certain policies are disproportionately harming Native students, we should be fixing them—not walking away,” said Liz King of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
For now, Rapid City schools say they’ll continue the reforms. But many families and tribal leaders remain wary, fearing the loss of federal accountability means progress could stall—again.
