Critical Race Theory

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the roiling debate over, and the politicization of, the term "critical race theory" and what that means for schools

Explainer

Illustrations.
What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack?
Here's what you need to understand about the academic concept—and how it's portrayed in political circles.
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People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office in November 2021, in Albuquerque. The demonstrators were protesting proposed changes to the state's social studies curriculum that they deemed as "critical race theory."
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office on Nov. 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. The demonstrators objected to proposed changes to the state's social studies curriculum that they deemed to be "critical race theory."
Cedar Attanasio/AP
Equity & Diversity The Evolution of the Anti-CRT Movement: A Timeline
What started as a federal executive order gave way to restrictions on racism lessons, book bans, and anti-LGBTQ policies over two years.
Eesha Pendharkar, December 13, 2022
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5 min read
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department's office on Nov. 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. The education department proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that critics describe as a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory. Supporters say the new curriculum, which includes ethnic studies, is "anti-racist."
People protest outside the offices of the New Mexico Public Education Department on Nov. 12, 2021, in Albuquerque. The protesters were reacting to proposed changes to the social studies curriculum that they said were a veiled attempt to teach critical race theory.
Cedar Attanasio/AP
Families & the Community How to Respond to Parents' CRT Complaints
Four experts have advice for district leaders on how to craft their messages on diversity, equity, and inclusion lessons and initiatives.
Eesha Pendharkar, November 4, 2022
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5 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion Educators Will Teach 'Truth About Oppression' Despite CRT Attacks
Although some educators fear for their jobs, they say not teaching what students need to know would be a disservice.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 26, 2022
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12 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion How Attacks on Critical Race Theory Are Affecting Teachers
The experience has left some teachers fearing for their safety and livelihood and retreating from their practices.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 18, 2022
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16 min read
Superintendent Deborah Gist speaks during a Tulsa Public Schools board meeting in Tulsa, Okla. on March 5, 2018.
Superintendent Deborah Gist speaks during a Tulsa Public Schools board meeting in Tulsa, Okla., in March 2018.<br/>
Joey Johnson/Tulsa World via AP
Equity & Diversity Two Okla. Districts Get Downgraded Accreditations for Violating State's Anti-CRT Law
The Tulsa and Mustang public school systems are the first to feel the sting of a state law that restricts discussion of race and racism in schools.
Eesha Pendharkar, August 2, 2022
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8 min read
Banned books
DigitalVision Vectors and iStock/Getty
Social Studies Florida Is Placing Limits on Social Studies Textbooks. Here’s What Has to Go
Earlier this year, Florida drew national attention for rejecting math textbooks. Could the same happen with social studies?
Ileana Najarro, July 14, 2022
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5 min read
Illustration of diverse hands being raised.
iStock/Getty
States How Laws on Race, Sexuality Could Clash With Culturally Responsive Teaching
Critical race theory and culturally responsive teaching are not the same thing. But bans of one could impact the other.
Ileana Najarro, April 21, 2022
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7 min read
teacher diverse classroom
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Equity & Diversity Q&A What Should Culturally Relevant Teaching Look Like Today? Gloria Ladson-Billings Explains
"The attack on anything that allows more participation and moves us toward equity is going full force," the scholar said.
Madeline Will, April 20, 2022
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8 min read
conceptual illustration of a classroom with colorful roots growing beneath the surface under the teacher and students
Vanessa Solis/Education Week and Getty Images
Teaching Explainer What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
Here's what it means to be a culturally responsive teacher and where critical race theory ties in—or not.
Madeline Will & Ileana Najarro, April 18, 2022
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17 min read
Illustration of school building under construction with a heart being suspended from a crane.
F.Sheehan/Education Week (Images: Getty)
School & District Management Opinion The Anti-Racist Counternarrative Public Education Needs Now
In the face of a national movement to discredit public education, educators must respond with our own movement prioritizing anti-racism.
Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., April 6, 2022
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5 min read
Students in Scott Frank's International Baccalaureate History Class analyze specific images and paragraphs from muckraking journalists during the progressive era for a class assignment this school year.
Students at IDEA Frontier College Preparatory in Brownsville, Texas, analyze images and paragraphs for an assignment in Scott Frank's history class. Frank, who uses AP U.S. History material in the course, said he feels nervous about whether the content he teaches in the class will be viewed as violating Texas' restrictions on teaching subject matter deemed controversial.
Courtesy of Scott Frank
Curriculum College Board Warns Against Censoring Its AP Courses
The organization that runs AP courses reminds teachers of its principles, as more states pass anti-critical race theory laws.
Ileana Najarro, March 14, 2022
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7 min read
Photograph illustration of a tangle of traffic lights.
iStock/Getty
Curriculum Opinion Do Parents Want Schools to Be Able to Teach About Racism?
A poll helped us understand parents' views on whether schools should be allowed to teach about racism, write two education policy experts.
Evan Rhinesmith & J. Cameron Anglum, March 2, 2022
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5 min read
Monica Wilbur expresses her opposition to critical race theory at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Standing behind her is Betty Sawyer, who holds an opposing point of view.
Monica Wilbur expresses her opposition to critical race theory at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Standing behind her is Betty Sawyer, who holds an opposing point of view.
Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP
Equity & Diversity Efforts to Ban Critical Race Theory Could Restrict Teaching for a Third of America's Kids
Teachers are refusing to talk about anything race-related and administrators of color are being harassed, according to a new study.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 27, 2022
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6 min read
Photo of elementary students raising their hands in classroom.
skynesher/Getty
Equity & Diversity From Our Research Center Do Educators Think Critical Race Theory Should Be Taught in Class? We Asked
An EdWeek poll shows educators are split over whether children should be taught that racism is systemic and embedded in American policies.
Eesha Pendharkar, January 20, 2022
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2 min read
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