On February 22, 2024, a group of Republican governors convened in Indianapolis, Indiana, to announce their support for national legislation banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools. The initiative, called the “Education Freedom and Parental Rights Act,” aims to ensure that K-12 public school curricula are free from what they describe as politically divisive and race-based ideologies. The proposal seeks to ban CRT in all public school districts across the nation, allowing parents greater control over what their children are learning in the classroom.
Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana, who hosted the event, was joined by Governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Greg Abbott of Texas. The initiative is part of the GOP’s broader effort to curb what they see as the growing influence of left-wing ideologies in public education, especially in regard to teaching about race, gender identity, and historical interpretations.
“Critical Race Theory is a divisive, un-American ideology that teaches children to view the world through a lens of race and class rather than character and individuality,” Governor Holcomb said at the press conference unveiling the proposal. “Our children should be taught to respect one another, to focus on what unites us, and not to be divided by the color of their skin.”
The proposed legislation would prohibit schools from teaching that any race, sex, or ethnicity is inherently superior or inferior to others, or that individuals should be judged based on these characteristics. It would also require schools to disclose all curricula, with a particular focus on controversial topics, to ensure that parents are fully informed about what their children are learning. The bill would also encourage transparency by requiring public school systems to allow parents to review all materials being taught to their children, particularly when it comes to subjects that could be seen as political or divisive.
Governor DeSantis, a leading figure in the movement to limit CRT in schools, emphasized that the push for school choice and parental rights must go hand in hand with ensuring that children receive an education grounded in American values, not politically motivated ideologies. DeSantis has previously signed legislation in Florida to limit the teaching of CRT and has made education a key issue of his administration.
“This bill is about giving parents control over what their children are taught and ensuring that education is about knowledge, not political indoctrination,” DeSantis said. “We need to get back to teaching the core subjects that prepare students for success in the real world.”
The proposal has garnered support from conservative parent groups such as Moms for Liberty, which has been actively working to remove CRT from school curricula across the nation.
However, the initiative has faced fierce opposition from civil rights organizations, educators, and many Democrats, who argue that restricting the teaching of CRT erases an important aspect of American history and limits students’ ability to critically engage with complex social issues. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups have argued that banning CRT prevents students from learning about systemic inequalities and understanding the root causes of racial and social divisions in the country.
“This is an attempt to silence discussions of race and history that are essential for our children’s understanding of America’s past and present,” said an ACLU spokesperson.
The proposal is expected to become a major point of contention in the 2024 elections, with Republicans pushing for parental rights in education and progressives arguing for a more inclusive, accurate portrayal of history in schools. The outcome of this initiative will shape the future of K-12 education policy in the U.S., with the growing influence of conservative educational policies on the national stage.
