MAEC News

MAEC is pleased to announce that it has received a continuation grant from the U.S. Department of Education to resume operation of the Region I Equity Assistance Center (EAC) and additional funding to lead the Region III EAC. The funding will ensure that the centers are active from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

“This renewal and expansion reaffirm MAEC’s commitment to making sure every student has access to a high-quality, supportive education,” said Dr. Karmen Rouland, President of MAEC. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring our experience and evidence-based approaches to more schools, educators, and communities.”

MAEC has operated EACs for over 25 years, and has led the Region I EAC, known as the Center for Education Equity (CEE), since 2016. With the new award, CEE will continue its work in Region I and expand to Region III, serving states in the Midwest.

Equity Assistance Centers (authorized under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) provide technical assistance and training to schools, districts, and state education agencies to address desegregation issues in public schools. Our work addresses harassment, bullying, and prejudice reduction through comprehensive needs assessments, professional development, and strategic planning. CEE is proud to offer its services in collaboration with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), ICF, SWIFT, and WestEd.

The renewal and expansion of MAEC’s work as an Equity Assistance Center follows a tumultuous year for the EAC program. In February 2025, the Department of Education abruptly terminated the program nationwide. Represented by the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), MAEC and the NAACP filed a lawsuit to challenge the decision. On July 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted an injunction in MAEC’s favor, restoring the Region I grant and reaffirming the critical role of EACs in protecting students’ civil rights and ensuring equal education opportunity. Following the injunction, the Department of Education reinstated the EAC. Then the department reconsidered its decision and issued continuation grant awards to the EACs for FY 25, preserving the entire program.

“We are deeply grateful to the NAACP and the Legal Defense Fund for standing with us to defend this essential program,” said Susan Shaffer, Chair of MAEC’s Board of Directors. “MAEC remains dedicated to working with educators, families, and communities for the benefit of all students.”

For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, contact info@maec.org or visit www.maec.org to learn more and subscribe for updates.

Contact us to learn more about CEE’s services

The regional Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) are funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Center for Education Equity serves the following states:

Region I: Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands, West Virginia

Region III: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin