Texas GOP pushes to further restrict racism education

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AUSTIN, Texas Texas Republicans are pushing to expand restrictions on what students can learn about racism and sexism in public schools. Gov. Greg Abbott has called on lawmakers to build on the “Anti-Critical Racial Theory” bill he promulgated in the regular session.

What You Need to Know Senate Bill 3 Expands Restrictions on How Teachers Can Discuss Race and Current Events on Any Topic for Kindergarten to Grade 12 Classes precedent was limited to social studies Critical Race Theory is a framework used to examine racism in colleges and universities Future of the bill is uncertain as the House still lacks a quorum as Democrats go into hiding in Washington

Last week, the Senate passed a stricter version despite concerns from educators. Senate Bill 3 expands restrictions on how teachers can discuss race and current events on any topic for grades K-12. The previous bill was limited to social studies.

I think I can honestly say that in our social studies classrooms critical race theory is not addressed directly in curriculum content, said Renee Blackmon, president of the Texas Council for the Social Studies.

Critical Race Theory is a framework used to examine racism in colleges and universities that has become a general Republican term for what some see as divisive efforts to tackle racism and inequality in schools.

For the most part, this shouldn’t change what our teachers teach in K-12 grades. Do these essential knowledge and skills sometimes have subjects related to racism and sexism? Yes. And we have been assured that we have to continue teaching those standards and this bill in no way prevents us from teaching those ethnic studies standards or courses that some people are concerned about, Blackmon said.

The bill enacted during the ordinary session also prohibits teachers from awarding course credits to students for their social or political advocacy work. After concerns were raised about the issue, SB3 clarifies that students can engage in non-partisan and community projects.

I am very disappointed with this part of the bill, Blackmon said. We need to apply what we learn about civic education and many educators I know have their students doing very successful civic projects in their class, including a colleague I know who asked students to ask city council to get a stop sign near their school where there had been an accident number This could no longer be done if they excluded this civic lobbying that we want the kids to know.

The future of the bill is uncertain as the House still lacks a quorum, with Democrats in hiding in Washington to try to prevent an election bill from being passed.

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