Over fifty school districts across Minnesota are now offering financial incentives specifically aimed at “teachers of color” and “American Indian teachers,” funded by taxpayer dollars. These districts have also implemented “affinity groups” to help safeguard minority staff from potential layoffs.

The initiative, known as “Policy 425 – Staff Development and Mentoring,” along with similarly named programs, is gaining traction in K-12 educational institutions throughout the state.

Paul Runko, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for Defending Education, expressed concerns to Fox News Digital, stating, “Providing financial incentives based on race in public schools is straightforward racial discrimination. These 50 school districts must reassess these policies from both a moral and legal standpoint to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws.”

Defending Education’s investigation revealed that a significant number of districts have embraced Policy 425. This policy specifies that districts can utilize staff development funds, special legislative grants, or other financial sources to support these incentives.

Policy 425 allows over 50 Minnesota school districts to provide financial incentives and job security measures for teachers of color and American Indian educators. This includes creating affinity groups and implementing mechanisms to protect these teachers from layoffs. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The policy further elaborates that if a district receives grants for these purposes, it is obligated to negotiate additional retention strategies and protections against involuntary leave for minority teachers during their initial years of employment.

Retention policies “may include providing financial incentives for teachers of color and teachers who are American Indian to work in the school or district for at least five (5) years and placing American Indian educators at sites with other American Indian educators and educators of color at sites with other educators of color to reduce isolation and increase opportunity for collegial support.”

The policies, uncovered by Defending Education, permit districts to use public funds and grants to offer targeted incentives and additional job protections aimed at recruiting and retaining minority educators. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Defending Education vetted more than 100 school districts to uncover which districts had adopted Policy 425, finding 50 that practice the “Staff Development and Mentoring” and 57 who did not appear to have the policy implemented.

Cristine Trooien, a Minnesota parent and Executive Director of Minnesota Partnership for Achievement, was outraged at the policy, saying that the state legislature has an opportunity to reverse the course of school districts across Minnesota.

“MN’s legislature is currently in session and has every opportunity to make the simple changes that are necessary to resolve these issues,” Trooein said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Critics, including Defending Education and some Minnesota parents, argue that the race-based provisions constitute unlawful discrimination and are calling on state lawmakers and school districts to revise or repeal the policies. (iStock)

“There is no legitimate justification for race-based policies or programs in K12 education or any other publicly funded institution,” Trooein added.

Defending Education claimed the policies were similar to that of the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) model, though their model is protected by a paywall and cannot be accurately linked to the association.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Minnesota School Boards Association but did not receive a response in time for publication. 

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston