The Sconi

Around the nation, a debate centering around Critical Race Theory, an idea that is based on the belief that one's race or ethnic background is a large determinant in their life outcomes, has been raging. 

Now, that debate is reaching a tipping point in Wisconsin, one of the most politically interesting states in the country. This week, lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory, or CRT, in public schools. 

The legislation comes on the heels of a report published by the MacIver Institute, a commentary on public policy for the state. In a statement, the institute railed against the teaching of Critical Race Theory, saying:

"Critical Race Theory replaces the founding principles of this country such as equality, excellence and equal protection under the law and replaces them with the communist ideal of equity, that is, every American, no matter their ability, work ethic or moral fiber, should end up achieving the same result. Instead of every single one of us, no matter the color of our skin, no matter our ethnicity or our current lot in life, being guaranteed certain unalienable rights by our creator, under CRT, we would be dictated to by the all-mighty government that no matter our individual merit, ability or talent, we will all end up in the same place, an equal place."

Previously debated in higher-brow circles of academia and higher learning, the discussion around CRT has now permeated nearly every level of education. This has been prompted by increased adoption of CRT into curriculum in all levels of school around the country, an alarming development to some. 

Now sits a bill before the Wisconsin State Legislature that would prohibit public schools, University of Wisconsin system schools and state technical colleges from teaching key components of CRT. While not naming CRT specifically, the bill would ban "teaching that one race or sex is superior, that a person is inherently racist by virtue of his or her race or sex and that anyone bears responsibility for past acts committed by other people of their same race or sex."

For schools and school districts that are found to be in violation of the bill, 10% of state financial aid to that school or school district would be withheld as a consequence. The bill also carries provisions that would allow the parents of students to bring a lawsuit against their child's school district if the district or the school was found to be in violation of the bill's requirements. 

The authors of the bill, Rep. Chuck Wichgers and State Sen. Andre Jacque, said that "hundreds of parents" have reached out to them to voice their concern over the teaching of CRT in their children's schools. They cited this as the main reason for introducing the bill. 

To hold schools accountable, there is language in the bill that would require schools to post their curriculum to their websites in an effort to provide as much transparency as possible to parents that have children in those schools. This new requirement comes in response to a recent instance in which a Milwaukee-based public interest law firm requested curriculum from the Madison Metropolitan School District. In reply, The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty were told that they would need to pay a fee of $5,000 to access the curriculum materials. 

If passed, Wisconsin would join 16 other states in the country that have already passed laws preventing the teaching of CRT in their schools.