JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Portions of a Mississippi ban on diversity, equity and inclusion practices in public schools can go into effect after the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court’s ruling that blocked sections of the law from being enforced.

The parts of the law in question prevent public schools from requiring diversity training and maintaining DEI-related programs, courses and offices. It also bans public schools from discussing a list of “divisive concepts” related to race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin. Public schools that violate the law could lose state funding.

The ban passed in April 2025 and is being challenged by a group of educators, students, parents and activists who say the law violates their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

The plaintiffs have several weeks to file a petition for rehearing with the Fifth Circuit.…