This bill prohibits the teaching of certain concepts that are implicated by educational conversations about history and racial inequality. It also prohibits mandatory professional development engaging with the same concepts. It requires that schools post every instructional resource to be used over the course of the school year. It sets a financial penalty for violation.
We oppose this bill because:
- Good teaching requires adapting to your students’ needs and flexibility. Mandating that educators post every instructional resource they plan to use for an entire year is mandating unresponsive and irresponsible teaching.
- All students and educators deserve the opportunity to learn about how the atrocities of our past have contributed to the inequalities of our present. Educators should be trusted to educate. Students should be trusted to explore.
- The prohibited concepts are vague. It is impossible for teachers to know which lessons, language, or materials might be prohibited.
