In Texas and across the country, critical race theory (CRT) has become a political lightning rod. Many Republican-led states are working to ban the school of thought from classrooms 鈥� even though teachers say .
This spring, Texas passed two laws taking aim at CRT, including HB 3979. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott didn鈥檛 think they went far enough, so he included CRT on the agenda for both special legislative sessions, including the one underway right now.
Educators say most people, including critics, don鈥檛 even know what critical race theory is.
What Is Critical Race Theory?
Nikki Jones teaches African American studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Jones described CRT as a way to understand how race influenced the historical laws of this country 鈥� laws that justified everything from slavery to violence.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a way to see race,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淭o see understandings of race, to see racism, in places where it may not otherwise on the surface of it be apparent.鈥�
born out of law schools. It teaches that racism is embedded in systems and structures in the U.S. 鈥� such as legal institutions 鈥� rather than just being the product of individual prejudice. It is taught in some law schools and universities, but there's little evidence children and teens are learning the concept in grades K-12.
The Story (And Controversy) Behind The Law
Houston-area (R-The Woodlands) says he wrote HB 3979 to help children.
鈥淲e need to teach about the ills but you can鈥檛 blame this generation,鈥� Toth said. 鈥淜ids are being scapegoated.鈥�
Toth鈥檚 legislation takes on CRT without ever naming it. He says the new law is aimed at teaching complex subjects like slavery and racism without making white children feel guilty.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 teach that one race is better than the other,鈥� Toth said, describing what鈥檚 outlined in HB 3979. 鈥淵ou can't teach that one gender is better than the other. You can鈥檛 discriminate either鈥� and say that one race or one gender is responsible for the ills of the past.鈥�
Texas history teachers say they don鈥檛 scapegoat anyone. Critics call the bill and others like it in other states, a political football.
State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) says Toth鈥檚 approach could hinder what teachers teach and how they teach it.
He said to consider the prohibition that you cannot teach one race is better than another.
鈥淭here were instances in this country where even in the articles of secession in 1861, it was said that the Caucasian race is superior to the African American race," West said. "That鈥檚 history. I think that it would be totally unfair if you said you can鈥檛 teach what history has shown us to be the position in the past.鈥�
Teachers worry the law could sweep certain subjects off the table, like slavery and the Civil War.
And school districts, like Fort Worth ISD, are concerned their efforts at attaining and teaching racial equity could be derailed because critics who complain CRT is in the schools often confuse it with a district鈥檚 racial equity policies.
While the new law takes effect next Wednesday, it鈥檚 unclear how any presumed violations will be proven or punished.
What Else Is In The Bill?
The legislation, which you can read in full , directs the State Board of Education to 鈥渁dopt essential knowledge and skills that develop each student鈥檚 civic knowledge,鈥� including the founding documents of America and writings of the founding fathers.
During the 2021 regular legislative session, House Democrats successfully pushed for that list to include other historical figures, adding more women and people of color. Texas Democrats also added requirements to include 鈥渉istorical documents related to the civic accomplishments of marginalized populations鈥� in social studies curriculum.
HB 3979 prevents schools from offering extra credit or course credit for any activism or lobbying activities and prohibits schools from requiring educators to take any 鈥渢raining, orientation, or therapy that presents any form of race or sex stereotyping or blame on the basis of race or sex.鈥�
