The Texas House has passed a measure that will regulate how teachers deal with current events and controversial subjects in the classroom, including topics related to race.
"Critical race theory is prohibited under this bill," said State Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Kingwood.
The bill does not specifically mention that issue, but was placed on the agenda after Governor Greg Abbott made critical race theory one of his priorities for the second special session of the Texas Legislature. A similar bill, HB 3979, had passed earlier this year. Governor Abbott signed the measure. He said it was a strong move to abolish critical race theory in Texas, but that he believed more must be done.
Democrats argued that teachers in Texas should be free to address current issues, including the issue of racism, without being constrained by lawmakers in Austin.
"Senate Bill 3 is a blatant attempt to censor valuable education in classrooms and whitewash our history," said State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City. "Erasing an uncomfortable reality of our past does not benefit our students. We can not deny that slavery was a part of this country. We can't simply pretend it didn't exist. What are we attempting to do with SB 3...other than to whitewash and really revise and teach a revisionary history that didn't exist?"
Rep. Huberty said one of the goals of the bill was to prevent teachers from pushing a political agenda in the classroom. "A teacher may not be forced to discuss currently controversial topics, but if they do...they should discuss that topic objectively and free from political speech," he said. He stressed that students would still have the ability to voice their opinions, with restrictions. "A student should not be punished for reasonably discussing certain topics under this bill in school," he said.
The bill passed on a vote of 81 to 43. The House did make some amendments to the version passed by the Senate.
The new language clarifies that students will still be able to enroll in job training programs or internships, even if the organization is involved in political lobbying - as long as they are not directly part of those lobbying efforts. The bill will go back to the Senate for a final vote before heading to the Governor for his signature.
Democrats are concerned that the bill will stifle classroom discussion of current events such as protests against police brutality.
"For students, becoming an active participant in our society comes from connecting the things that they learn about to the wider world," said State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin. "We have legislators who want to limit what is taught and what is discussed in the classroom. Instead of allowing teachers to determine the content of their classes, we are micro-managing the public school classroom."
Republican State Rep. Dan Huberty countered the restrictions would help protect students.
"A person should not be taught that they should bear responsibility, blame or guilt for actions committed by others of their same race or sex," he said. "I think we all agree that's true."
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