We envision a republic where freedom, opportunity, creativity, and innovation flourish in our schools and workplaces.

Our mission is to defend and advance freedom and opportunity for every American family, student, entrepreneur, and worker and to protect our civil and constitutional rights at school and work.

PRESS RELEASE: Defense of Freedom Institute and Southeastern Legal Foundation File Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against Kansas School District for Policies That Violate Title IX and Student Free Speech

WASHINGTON—Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) and the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies (DFI) filed a federal civil…

Feb 11 | Press Release

PRESS RELEASE: DFI Files Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against Maryland State Department of Education and Several Maryland School Districts for Title IX and FERPA Violations

Complaint targets policies allowing boys in girls’ sports and spaces and directing schools to hide students’ gender transitions from…

Feb 10 | Blog

BLOG: DFI Senior Litigation Counsel Don Daugherty Testifies Before Congress on Mahmoud v. Taylor

On February 10, Don Daugherty, DFI’s Senior Litigation Counsel, testified before a House Education Workforce Subcommittee on the…

Civil and Constitutional Rights

America is facing a historical moment, when many are pushing for policies that violate core constitutional and civil rights essential to a free society. DFI exists to defend the Constitution and the rule of law and protect civil liberties at school and work.

Postsecondary Education

DFI works to nurture a vision for long-term higher education reform that reduces the federal role in financing postsecondary education, protects taxpayers, and meets the demand for alternatives to four-year degrees.

Education Freedom and Parental Rights

Our nation’s one-size-fits all K-12 education system is failing far too many students and must be radically transformed to ensure all Americans have the freedom to choose the education that is best for them.

Teacher Unions

Union leaders and their allies have used their political power to push aside parents, families, and classroom teachers to dominate public education in ways that harm students and limit their opportunities. DFI works to hold teacher unions accountable and expose the harm that they continue to cause students, families, and teachers.

America is under siege by radical activists and teacher union bosses. DFI exists to fight back. Will you join us in this fight?

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