AIELOC strongly objects the U.S. Department of Education’s changes

by | Dec 2, 2025 | Blog

AIELOC strongly objects to the U.S. Department of Education’s recent designation of certain degrees as “not professional,” including graduate degrees in education. This classification is both inexplicable and harmful. We work with educators across the world—including many certified in the United States—who should never have the legitimacy of their credentials questioned because of an arbitrary federal list.

It is worth noting that the current Secretary of Education’s official biography highlights her work “advocating for policies to empower teachers and help students excel.” This decision accomplishes neither. Instead, it diminishes the teaching profession and raises a critical question: Were education professionals meaningfully consulted before this list was developed?

This announcement reflects a troubling misalignment with the needs of educators and students in the United States. The most constructive path forward is clear: rescind the list entirely and affirm that education degrees, including teaching master’s degrees, are and should remain recognized as professional qualifications.

Thank you.

AIELOC Statement on the Ban of Search Associates

by | Sep 23, 2025 | Blog

Effective immediately, the Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) hereby suspends all engagement with Search Associates. This decision stems from persistent and substantiated concerns raised by our members and applicants regarding exclusionary practices, a profound lack of accountability, and an insufficient commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) within Search Associates’ recruitment processes.
This action is a direct response to repeated reports from educators of color who have experienced or witnessed discriminatory treatment during recruitment activities facilitated by Search Associates. Such systemic issues are fundamentally incompatible with AIELOC’s core mission and values, which prioritize equity and justice in international education.

To consider reinstating engagement in the future, AIELOC calls on Search Associates to take the following concrete actions:

Appoint a Qualified Full Time DEIJ Leader:

Recruit and hire a DEIJ leader with proven expertise in anti-racism, inclusion, and equitable hiring practices. This individual must possess the authority to enforce accountability mechanisms across all associates, including the immediate dismissal of personnel who fail to adhere to established DEIJ standards.

Implement a Transparent Grievance Process:

Develop an independent and accessible mechanism for candidates to report incidents of bias, discrimination, or misconduct. This process must ensure guaranteed follow-up, robust accountability measures, and clear consequences for violations.

Partner with Marginalized Voices:
Collaborate meaningfully with individuals from historically underrepresented and resilient communities to review and reform recruitment policies and practices, ensuring they reflect inclusive and anti-oppressive principles, and pay them for their service.

Make Amends for Harm Caused:
Acknowledge and take responsibility for harm experienced by candidates, including issuing refunds and other appropriate remedies for those impacted.

Until these critical steps are fully and demonstrably implemented, AIELOC will maintain its suspension of engagement with Search Associates. We strongly urge all individual members, schools, partners, and allies within the international education community to join us in this stance as a collective commitment to upholding ethical standards.

AIELOC remains steadfast in its dedication to championing just, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices across all recruitment platforms. Should you have concerns regarding harmful practices by other recruitment organizations, we encourage you to contact our team at AIELOC via https://aieloc.org/contact-us/.

STATEMENT OF AIELOC ON DISMANTLING THE U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

by | Mar 21, 2025 | Blog

Friday, March 21, 2025

The Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) strongly opposes any proposal to dismantle the United States Department of Education. As an organization dedicated to advancing equitable and inclusive education for all students, we firmly believe that the Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring access to quality education, protecting civil rights, and upholding educational standards across the nation.

Dismantling the Department of Education would have devastating consequences for millions of students, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities. The Department is responsible for administering federal financial aid programs, enforcing Title IX and civil rights protections, and supporting historically underfunded schools through initiatives such as Title I funding. Without this oversight, the risk of educational inequities and disparities would increase significantly, leaving many students without the resources they need to succeed.

Furthermore, the Department of Education provides essential support for teachers, administrators, and school districts, offering research-based best practices, grant opportunities, and policies that help drive student achievement. Its role in collecting and analyzing educational data also ensures that lawmakers and educators can make informed decisions to improve learning outcomes nationwide.

Education is the foundation of our democracy and our economy. Eliminating the Department of Education would undermine decades of progress in expanding access to high-quality education and closing achievement gaps. We urge ALL to reject any efforts to dismantle this crucial institution and instead focus on strengthening its ability to serve students, families, and educators.

We welcome the opportunity to engage in further discussions on how to enhance our education system while maintaining the necessary federal support and oversight that the Department of Education provides.