Tennessee Education Commissioner to Publish Guidance on Critical Race Theory Ban Compliance by August 1
Tennessee | June 11, 2021
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn promised to publish educator guidance on the state’s Critical Race Theory ban by August 1. The ban was first proposed in the Tennessee General Assembly by State Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge). The law itself doesn’t mention Critical Race Theory by name, but it does address the theory’s tenets and practices at length.
Schwinn revealed the plan to issue guidance in an exclusive interview with Chalkbeat on Wednesday. The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) guidance will also address the question of how the commissioner would uphold the ban, including a complaint evaluation process and financial penalty system. Ragan’s amendment noted that the commissioner would determine how much state funding to withhold for violations.
Educators are also held accountable by the Tennessee Code’s Teacher Code of Ethics. State law requires educators to abide by federal and state laws.
In the interview, Schwinn shared that their department’s legal team and the attorney general’s office are collaborating on the TDOE guidance. Schwinn also clarified that school districts would be responsible for training.
The Tennessee Star inquired with the commissioner’s office whether Schwinn would work with Ragan or other legislators to inform the TDOE guidance, if the guide would be made available to the public upon publication, and if TDOE would distribute a universal guide to all educators or tailor the guide by grade level. They didn’t respond by press time.
As The Star reported, the Tennessee General Assembly effectively banned Critical Race Theory early last month through an eleventh-hour amendment. The amendment prompted a quick back-and-forth between the House and Senate, which necessitated the creation of a conference committee. Ultimately, the committee not only approved the ban – they added onto it…
(Excerpts from the Tennessee Star)