Ky. education chief has ‘serious concerns’ over new bill related to critical race theory

Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass is expressing “serious concerns” about the newest bill in the General Assembly aimed at the ongoing controversy related to critical race theory.

One of Glass’ concerns is that the legislation, Senate Bill 138 introduced by state Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, would “force” a variety of curriculum documents and resources to be added to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies.

How classes are taught and the resources used in the classroom have long been decided at the school and district level, he said.

“While the resources specified in SB 138 are mostly foundational American governmental or historical documents, having the state legislature specify curricular resources would be a significant change from Kentucky’s tradition of local control over such decisions,” he said.

Glass, in a Monday memo to education colleagues in the state, said the bill could get a hearing as early as next week.

“I appreciate that Senate Bill 138 is an improvement over previously introduced bills in that it does not directly limit free speech for educators and students. However, we still have serious concerns about the bill as filed,” Glass told the Herald-Leader.

“I think it is certainly possible that some bill related to critical race theory will pass this legislative session and I am hopeful that we can work with Sen. Wise to provide feedback on any such legislation,” Glass said.

In response, Wise told the Herald-Leader that as the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, he welcomed the education commissioner’s input into a public school bill constituents tell Wise they need.

“I’m thrilled so many have read the bill already and want to participate in the legislative process,” Wise said. “Because words do matter, I welcome input in committee to improve upon the language that will provide the widest parameters for our educators.”

The bill calls for a reading list that “shall be embedded” across middle and high school curricula. It includes the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, The Monroe Doctrine, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” speech by Frederick Douglass, two pieces by Martin Luther King Jr. and “A Time for Choosing” by Ronald Reagan.

Glass has previously said that critical race theory is a decades-old legal and academic theory that seeks to explain why racism continues to exist and he’s unaware of it being taught in Kentucky K-12 public schools. Glass said it’s a theory intended to provide a framework for the study of potential causes and effects of racism in society and how those might be mitigated.

Glass also said he was concerned about language in the bill that says an educator would not be able to be compelled to discuss current events or controversial topics.

The Kentucky standards for social studies require teachers to discuss current events with students.

Glass said as a former history teacher, ”I can attest to the importance of connecting current events, including controversial ones, to student learning....Creating an expectation that classrooms should avoid difficult issues does not well prepare our future citizens.”

Kentucky students and other groups have rallied against House Bills 14 and 18 that make it illegal to teach that an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

House Bill 18 is sponsored by state Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville. House Bill 14, sponsored by State Rep. Joe Fischer, R-Ft. Thomas, would allow any local resident who suspects the law has been violated to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office, which then can impose fines until the issue is remedied. Those bills have not yet moved forward.