Bills in Ohio legislature address CRT
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dozens of education bills became law during the current two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly, which is scheduled to end Dec. 21. But even more have been introduced – over 125, in fact.
Each of the bills fall along different points in the legislative process. Some are poised to be soon signed into law. Others don’t stand a chance of getting across the finish line.
Education measures before the legislature include cultural war flashpoints including several that dictate how race can be taught in history and current events. But not all of them drive wedges among Ohioans. Some attempt to ease education bureaucracy and improve school quality and the teaching profession.
The following are descriptions of some of the over 125 that haven’t yet passed, but possibly could.
Restrictions around teaching race in history, current events
Although it’s not taught in K-12, allegations by conservatives that schools are teaching “critical race theory” inspired a spate of Republican-sponsored bills that would ban educators from teaching the college-level study and anything that makes white people feel guilty.
These bills could potentially cost Ohio high schools Advanced Placement offerings. The College Board said it will yank the AP designation from classes at schools that don’t promote independent thinking and an “unflinching encounter with evidence.”
The Ohio Poverty Law Center said the bills could force the state and local governments to reverse initiatives addressing minority health disparities.
Critics say that Republicans are using race in schools to lure back suburban women to the party ahead of the midterm election. Many left because they were turned off by former President Trump.
HB 322, sponsored by Eastern Ohio Republican Rep. Don Jones, incorporates sexism with racism prohibitions. It would prohibit teaching that an individual is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. It also forces educators to teach that slavery and racism aren’t “anything other than deviations” of the founding principles of the U.S. However, the bill has only had three hearings, the last one on Sept. 22, indicating that House Republicans prefer another measure, HB 327, instead.
HB 327, however, suffered a setback when one of the sponsors, Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, an Ashtabula Republican, said in a TV interview that her bill would allow teachers to show World War II from the perspective of German soldiers, drawing criticism from anti-Semitism watchers and Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp. The other sponsor is Rep. Diane Grendell, a Geauga County Republican. The bill has been amended heavily, currently in its 12th version. K-12 teachers would have to present a “nonpartisan” discussion about “controversial aspects of history” and “the historical oppression” of people based on their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. When introduced, HB 327 contained a list of divisive concepts that couldn’t be taught, including that people cannot bear responsibility for actions committed in the past. The 12th version removed the phrase “divisive concepts,” but many of the bans remain. The 12th version now prohibits requiring teachers to believe in systematic racism and gender fluidity.
The newest race-in-education bill is HB 616. Sponsored by GOP Reps. Mike Loychik of Trumbull County and Jean Schmidt of the Cincinnati area, it marries divisive concepts in HB 327 with Florida’s so-called “don’t-say-gay” law. In grades kindergarten through 3, the bill would prohibit schools from teaching, using or providing any curriculum or instruction materials on sexual orientation or gender identity. In grades 4 through 12, the schools would have to stick with age-and developmentally appropriate instructional materials, lessons and curriculum on sexual orientation and gender identity. Loychik and Schmidt introduced the bill April 4. It hasn’t been assigned to a committee.
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series on the various education bills being considered by the Ohio legislature currently. The Lima News will publish details of more bills like these over the coming days.
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