CHENEY — Issues and concerns relating to critical race theory – including questions on curriculum — were discussed at the Cheney School Board meeting on July 14. The increased interest in cultural education has emerged in the wake of new legislation passed by the state, “concerning professional learning, equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system,” as stated in the final bill report for ESSB 5044.
Cheney Public School Superintendent Robert Roettger reiterated that the legislation is aimed at training educators and does not include curriculum for students.
“There is not a requirement to teach critical race theory in the bill. There is not a requirement to develop a curriculum to be taught to students. The bill address training requirements for adults within the school system and school directors,” Roettger said.
The legislation will require teachers to relinquish one of their professional learning days in the 2021-2022 academic year to further develop an understanding of one or more of the following topics: inclusion, equity, competency, and diversity. District staff, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, will also be asked to dedicate a professional learning day “for training, professional development, professional learning aligned with cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion standards . . .”
Roegetter also points out that the term “critical race theory” does not appear in the bill and the new legislation not overtly political. In an email, he stated that, “analyzing our system, learning together and discussing topics such as cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion is an important part of our work as we strive to achieve our mission and meet the learning and social/emotional needs of each and every student within our system.”
The phrase “critical race theory” was originally coined by Harvard Law professor and activist Derrick Bell in the 1970s as a framework for the legal analysis of racial prejudice “embedded in legal systems and policies,” according to Education Week. The article goes on to explain that much of the theory is complex in nature, primarily discussed in academic journals, and is inaccessible to K-12 students.
Despite efforts to alleviate public apprehension, the topic remains at the forefront of debate among concerned parents and community members. Three out of four public comments in the previous two school board meetings have related to critical race theory and the perceived dangers it poses. The bill was first read at the House on Jan. 11, 2021 and passed through a series of amendments and votes before being signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 5, to be enacted on July 25, 2021.
Scott Davis can be reached at [email protected].
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