The Sconi

WORT FM, a Madison Wisconsin area community radio station, took to the airwaves to claim that a new ad against Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools, released by a group called Be Good to Kids, was false as they now claim CRT is not taught in K-12 schools, but reserved for higher education. However, an analysis of WORT FM's prior segments shows that the station's current position on CRT appears to contradict information from those reports. Additional analysis revealed a multitude of examples nationwide in which this type of instruction has been taught in K-12 public schools.

According to WORT FM, the new ad critical of CRT is false because CRT is not taught in classrooms. However, an analysis of prior coverage from WORT FM reveals past segments celebrating CRT and discussing its use in K-12 classrooms.

The ad released by Be Good to Kids features a black father, Kory, speaking with his daughter, Royalty, about what she wants to be when she grows up. The ad alleges that "critical race theory wants to end" the idea that children can be anything they want, regardless of race. WORT FM took issue with the content of the ad, dismissing it as conservative talking points and stating that CRT is a niche academic and legal framework taught in higher education.

However, in a report from June of 2021, WORT FM welcomed Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, a longtime educator and early proponent of critical race theory in the classroom, to their program. The station framed the conversation as an "honest discussion" into topics like "what is critical race theory?" and "Is it really a dangerous set of 'woke philosophies,' as its critics would have us believe?"

During the interview, Ladson-Billings discussed her own experience as a public school teacher and provided examples of CRT exercises she introduced into her classroom. One example she gave was starting her history class with a CRT exercise focusing on the question of whether democracy works for a particular individual.

Furthermore, a recent report from the MacIver Institute found multiple examples of CRT being taught in Wisconsin K-12 public schools. The School District of La Crosse received an equity grant to be used for racial justice workshops and materials for pre-kindergarten classes. The Burlington Area School District received a proposal to spend taxpayer funds on an "intensive racial equity and anti-racism learning program." The Middleton-Cross Plains school district required middle school students to attend a week of "Activism Training" during their Literacy Class.

These examples contradict WORT FM's claim that CRT is not taught in K-12 schools. It seems that the radio station's current position on CRT contradicts its own prior reporting on the topic. Additionally, a poll of active voters conducted by Competitive Edge Research found that respondents opposed training teachers, school officials, and students in "Critical Race Theory and social justice causes" by a nearly 15 point margin.

The controversy over CRT in K-12 education has sparked debates and discussions across the country. Governor Evers has been involved in the controversy, with a report highlighting that during his time as head of the Department of Public Instruction, the department released a training document encouraging white teachers and school staff to "wear a white wristband as a reminder about your privilege."

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has also weighed in on the issue, expressing frustration with parents trying to get too involved in their children's education. He stated, "I respect differences of opinion. I don’t have too much respect for people that are misbehaving in public and then acting like they know what’s right for kids." Cardona framed the issue as a battle between a team fighting for kids and a team fighting against kids.