A bill barring “racist, sexist and politicized instruction” in K-12 schools passed in the Arizona House of Representatives on Wednesday that will likely die in the Senate on Monday.
Offered as a floor amendment, the “Unbiased Teaching Act,” was adopted onto SB 1532, which was passed by the House with the support of all 31 House Republicans.
Under the Act, a school district, charter school, or state agency is prohibited from requiring
teachers to engage students in controversial issues of public policy or social affairs that are not
essential to the course learning objectives. If raised for discussion in a class, teachers would be
required to present such issues from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.
Other provisions prohibit any requirement, assignment of coursework or awarding of class credit
for student work that involves lobbying or advocacy for social or public policy. Requiring school employees to engage in any training, orientation, or therapy that presents any form of blame or judgement on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex would not be allowed either. Additionally, a teacher, administrator, or other employee may not require instruction in or make part of curriculum the following concepts:
- One race, ethnicity or sex is inherently morally or intellectually superior to another;
- Any person, by virtue of his or her race, ethnicity or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or not;
- An individual should be invidiously discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race, ethnicity or sex;
- A person’s moral character is determined by his or her race, ethnicity or sex;
- An individual, by virtue of his or her race, ethnicity or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed by others of the same sex, ethnicity or race;
- An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or other form of psychological distress because of the person’s race, ethnicity or sex; and
- Academic achievement, meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race or sex to oppress members of another race or sex.
Violations of the law could result in civil penalties up to $5,000 for each incident.