Des Moines, IA, USA
On December 18, 2024, a coalition of Republican governors gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, to announce a new initiative aimed at banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in K-12 public schools nationwide. The proposal, titled the “Parents’ Educational Freedom Act,” seeks to ensure that public school curricula do not promote ideologies that the governors argue are divisive or politically motivated. The governors emphasized that the bill is designed to protect children from what they describe as harmful teachings that focus on race, identity politics, and divisive historical narratives.
Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, who hosted the announcement, was joined by Governors Ron DeSantis (FL), Kristi Noem (SD), and Greg Abbott (TX). Together, the governors presented the initiative as a necessary step to return to an education system focused on academic excellence and individual achievement, rather than what they see as an overemphasis on race and group identity.
“Critical Race Theory is teaching children to divide themselves by race, not by shared values and the principles of liberty,” Governor Reynolds said during the press conference. “This legislation is about giving parents control over their children’s education and ensuring that schools are teaching the true history of our nation without pushing political agendas.”
The bill would ban the teaching of CRT, which explores the idea that racism is systemic and ingrained in the fabric of society. Many conservatives view CRT as an overly ideological framework that distorts the teaching of history and undermines unity. The proposed law would also require schools to provide full transparency regarding their curricula, ensuring that parents are informed about what their children are learning, especially on sensitive subjects related to race and history.
Governor DeSantis, who has made opposition to CRT in schools a hallmark of his administration, expressed strong support for the legislation, emphasizing that it is necessary to prevent the politicization of education. He pointed to the success of Florida’s recent laws that restrict the teaching of CRT in schools and limit discussions about gender identity in the classroom.
“Florida has already led the way in protecting parents’ rights in education, and now we’re taking this to a national level,” DeSantis said. “We are going to ensure that kids learn the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, not to be indoctrinated with divisive ideas.”
The proposal has received widespread support from conservative parent groups like Moms for Liberty, which has advocated for increased parental involvement in education and for removing what they call “radical left-wing ideologies” from public schools.
However, the bill has faced fierce opposition from teachers’ unions, civil rights organizations, and progressives, who argue that CRT is a legitimate academic framework for understanding systemic inequality and should not be banned in schools. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups have criticized the move, saying it threatens free speech and academic freedom.
“This is a blatant attempt to whitewash history and prevent students from learning about the real challenges of racism in America,” said a spokesperson from the ACLU.
The proposal is expected to spark a heated debate in the coming months, particularly as the 2024 election cycle continues, with education policy and the role of government in shaping school curricula emerging as key issues.
