# What This Bill Actually Does

This bill would restrict what teachers and schools in Washington D.C. can teach and discuss about race and sex. Specifically, it would prohibit D.C. public schools and charter schools from requiring students or teachers to adopt or agree with nine specific ideas that the bill lists as "race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating." These prohibited ideas include concepts like "the United States is fundamentally racist," that people should feel guilt based on their race or sex, or that hard work and merit are tools used to oppress certain groups.

The practical effect is that teachers couldn't make students personally embrace these ideas as part of their coursework or professional development. However, the bill's language is broad enough that it could affect how history, social studies, and other subjects are taught. For example, a lesson about slavery's lasting economic effects, a discussion about systemic discrimination, or a diversity training for staff could potentially run afoul of these restrictions depending on how they're presented. The bill doesn't explicitly ban teaching about racism or sexism in America—it specifically targets making students or teachers personally "adopt, affirm, adhere to, or profess" certain viewpoints about these topics.

The bill applies only to D.C. schools, so it wouldn't affect schools in other states. Parents and teachers in D.C. would likely see changes in how certain historical and social topics are discussed in classrooms, though exactly what changes would depend on how school administrators interpret these restrictions. The bill references existing civil rights law, suggesting it's meant to ensure schools don't discriminate, though supporters and critics disagree sharply about whether the bill itself accomplishes that goal or restricts legitimate educational content.

Ending Critical Race Theory in D.C. Public Schools Act

Grothman, Glenn

Ending Critical Race Theory in D.C. Public Schools Act This bill prohibits any employee of the District of Columbia Public Schools or the District of Columbia Public Charter Schools from compelling a teacher or student to adopt, affirm, adhere to, or profess ideas that promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating.