Resolution passes against teaching Critical Race Theory

The elected board of the Chehalis School District has responded to the concerns of parents and passed a resolution banning the teaching of controversial Critical Race Theory in public school classrooms.

The new policy, passed June 15th, provides that schools will not teach that some students are inherently good and others are inherently bad based on their outward appearance. Further, district officials declared that political ideology has no place in public schools and that teachers will educate students, not tell them what to think or what opinions to hold.

The Chehalis district is located 30 miles south of Olympia and comprises eight public schools serving some 3,000 students.

Key provisions of the board’s resolution state:

● “The central purpose and goal of the Chehalis School District is to build a sound educational foundation for each student, enabling them to become responsible citizens.”

● “Providing each student this educational foundation is key toward equality of opportunity for every Chehalis student. Our school district is not a political or partisan organization. The district does not push any ideology.”

● “The District fosters teaching and learning, K-12, that helps students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills which they can apply to life’s challenges. These skills will enable them the freedom to chart the most productive course for their own life.”

● “We will not teach Chehalis students that people, due to their race or background are inherently good or bad, guilty or innocent, more or less capable than others.”

● “Equality of opportunity through an excellent education for every young person in the Chehalis School District, empowering them with the choice of college and/or career, is the central purpose and desired goal.”

School leaders in Chehalis, unlike officials in Seattle, Spokane, Bellevue, Highline and other districts, are rightly keeping their focus on academic standards and providing equal access to education excellence for all.

In communities where educating children is no longer the top mission, parents should be allowed access to alternatives, like those proposed in Rep. Kraft’s bill (HB 1215) to give a fully-funded $7,000 Education Savings Account (ESA) to every family that wants one. Then every child could get a great public education, without the negative impacts caused by harmful race-based indoctrination.

– Liv Finne is the Center for Education Director at the Washington Policy Center. She can be reached at [email protected].