EndingRadicalIndoctrinationinK-12Schooling
DateIssued:January29,2025
Topic:Education
WHATDOESTHISEXECUTIVEORDERDO?
Thisorderpreventstheuseoffederalfundstosupportanyeducational practicesdeemeddiscriminatory.Specifically,theorderassertsthat publicschoolcurriculashouldavoidcontentthatpromotesconcepts suchassystemicracism,privilege,orimplicitbias.TheTrump Administrationarguesthattheseteachingscontributetodivisionand underminenationalunity.
Theorderprohibitsfederallyfundedteachertrainingprogramsfrom includingdiversity,equity,andinclusion(DEI)frameworksthat incorporatediscussionsofsystemicracismorimplicitbias.
Theorderremovesfederalfundingfromschoolspromotingwhatit deems“genderideology”and“discriminatoryideology.”
Theorderalsoreestablishesthe1776Commissionto“promotepatriotic education.”
HOWWILLTHISEXECUTIVEORDERBEENFORCED?
TheSecretariesofEducation,Defense,andHealthandHumanServices, alongwiththeAttorneyGeneral,willprovidean“EndingIndoctrination Strategy”tothePresident.
Schoolsthatdonotcomplywiththeorderrisklosingfederalfunding, includingTitleIfundsallocatedforlow-incomedistricts.
Theorderencouragesstateeducationdepartmentstoestablishreview boardstoevaluatematerialsandprovidecompliancereports.
HOWDOESTHISIMPACTBLACKCOMMUNITIES?
Thisorderrestrictsdiscussionsonsystemicracismandrelatedconcepts whichwouldlimitcomprehensiveBlackhistoryeducation,reducing students'exposuretokeyhistoricalandcontemporaryissuesaffecting Blackcommunities.ThisorderrisksfurthermarginalizingBlackstudents whilereinforcingEurocentricnarrativesofAmericanhistory.
Long-termimplicationsofthisorderincludereproducingimplicitbiases forgenerationsandlimitingcapacitiestocreateanequalandjust societythataddressessystemicracism.
Theeffectsofthisorderareespeciallyharmfultostudentswhooccupy socialpositionsattheintersectionofrace,gender,andLGBTQ+status. Forexample,Blacktransgenderstudentswillbedisproportionately impactedastheyalreadyendurehighratesofschooldisciplineand harassment.Targeting“genderideology”willundoubtedlyundermine protectionsforthesestudents.
HOWARECBCMEMBERSRESPONDING?
TheCongressionalBlackCaucus(CBC)hasalongstandingcommitment toadvancingequityineducation.TheCaucushasanEducationand LaborTaskforcethathashistoricallyworkedtoexaminecausesof increasedsegregationandensureeducationalinstitutionsarediverse andinclusive.
CBCmembershaveroutinelyopposedmeasuresthatlimitdiscussionsof racismandequityineducation.Theyhaveemphasizedtheimportance ofinclusivecurriculathatreflectsdiverseperspectivesandexperiencesof allAmericans.ToreadmoreabouttheCBC’slegacyoneducationpolicy issues,visitAvoice,ourvirtuallibrary.