An ongoing investigation by watchdog organization Accuracy in Media continues to reveal woke ideology being taught in Kansas public universities despite DEI being banned in 2025.  

University of Kansas School of Social Welfare uses the loophole of accreditation to continue teaching DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – principles.  

“We’re an accredited program, so we have to teach anti-racist diversity, equity and inclusion,” Ella Peterson, the school’s recruitment coordinator, told one of AIM’s undercover journalists in a video released June 2.  

The School of Social Welfare is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation, which means the program passed a review process and met criteria required by the accrediting organization. The council calls for graduates from accredited social work programs to be advocates for justice, equity, inclusion and diversity.  

“Social work shouldn’t require an education littered with Marxist principles,” AIM argues in response to the program’s requirements.  

Peterson continued to reveal that the university changed several course names to comply with new DEI rules, but the conversations and content reviewed in class remained the same and continued to include DEI materials.   

“As far as our curriculum, you’re still getting the diversity, equity and inclusion stuff,” Peterson explained to the undercover reporter.  

“You can’t be a social worker without being rooted in social justice.” 

If the program’s accrediting body requires DEI to be taught in classes, AIM writes, programs such as KU’s can use the requirement as an excuse to ignore state and federal anti-DEI laws.  

Peterson said many of the professors at the University of Kansas toe the line with teaching DEI. 

“We want to do more, but we want to be able to be here to educate and prepare the next generation of social workers,” she said.  

Senate Bill 125, the anti-DEI law passed in Kansas in 2025, requires public universities to eliminate DEI programs, positions, training programs and the use of state funds for DEI. However, DEI in curricula is not specifically prohibited under the law.  

Institutions found in violation of the law face lawsuits, funding cuts and monetary penalties. 

Peterson and the University of Kansas did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Heartlander News.