Following the pattern of similar bills introduced across the country such as “don’t say gay” legislation and bills attempting to ban discourse around racial discrimination, this bill would have banned terms like “racial guilt” in the classroom, barred the use of school books that have a "viewpoint," and required school staff to address students by “the pronouns associated with their biological gender.” We strongly opposed the bill, noting that it was unconstitutional, antithetical to the tenets of educational discourse and academic freedom, and would undermine a variety of key systemic issues relating to diversity in schools.
Aside from these concerns, we further testified that the bill contained provisions which would be impossible to enforce, including language which would require that history be “taught using the standards, customs, and traditions in use at the time of the historical event”, which theoretically could promote racially segregated classrooms or incorporate the “custom” and “tradition” of corporal punishment.
Thankfully, this bill died in committee.
