# Plain Language Summary: Senate Resolution on Critical Race Theory

This is a Senate resolution expressing the chamber's opinion that Critical Race Theory should not be taught in K-12 public schools. To be clear, this is not a law—it's a statement of what the Senate believes should happen. It doesn't actually ban anything or force schools to do anything, but it does represent an official position from the Senate on this education topic.

The resolution argues that Critical Race Theory functions as a "prejudicial ideological tool" rather than an educational approach, and specifically objects to using it to teach students to judge people based on race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. Supporters of this resolution worry that such teaching could promote division or unfair treatment based on these characteristics. The resolution calls for K-12 schools to avoid this approach in their classrooms.

It's important to understand what this actually does and doesn't do. Since this is a resolution rather than a bill, it carries no legal force—schools aren't required to follow it, and there are no penalties for not doing so. It's essentially Congress on record saying what it thinks about this educational approach. The real impact depends on whether individual states, school districts, or schools choose to adopt policies based on this Senate position. Some states and districts have already passed their own laws restricting how race and history are taught, but this resolution doesn't create those restrictions itself. It's a statement of Senate opinion that may influence future policy discussions or give political support to those pushing for restrictions on how these topics are taught in schools.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Critical Race Theory serves as a prejudicial ideological tool, rather than an educational tool, and should not be taught in K-12 classrooms as a way to teach students to judge individuals based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

Scott, Rick

 <p>This resolution calls on the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education and state attorneys general to assist elementary and secondary schools in complying with existing civil rights laws and investigate and enforce such laws. In addition, the resolution condemns the practice of requiring teachers to receive education in critical race theory as a condition of certification.</p>