A cinematic style scene under soft, diffused lighting, showcasing a determined African American female educator in her early 30s with short curly hair, passionately addressing a diverse group of high school students in a classroom. The students, a mix of races and ethnicities, listen intently, some with furrowed brows, reflecting their concern about educational changes. In the background, a bulletin board displays history-related posters and books related to critical race theory. The mood is tense yet empowering, highlighting the struggle for academic freedom.
Trumps executive order threatens federal funding for schools teaching critical race theory reshaping education and sparking debate on American history Image generated by DALL E

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Trump’s Education Policy Targets Critical Race Theory and Patriotic Education

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Trump’s executive order targets critical race theory and gender ideology in schools.
The reinstatement of the 1776 Commission promotes a sanitized view of American history.
Threats to federal funding create pressure for schools to avoid discussing sensitive topics.
Critics argue these policies suppress necessary dialogue about race and historical injustices.
Financial coercion may limit local control over educational content and curricula.
Resistance from educational advocates includes potential legal challenges to these restrictions.

Critical Race Theory Under Attack

Trump’s new executive order aims to cut federal funds from schools that teach critical race theory or gender studies. This unusual step shows his push against what he calls “radical indoctrination” in schools (News5 Cleveland). The order demands federal agencies to find and remove funding from schools using these educational approaches.

Impact of Anti-CRT Measures (2021-2022)

563
Anti-CRT Measures Introduced
241
Measures Enacted
28
States with Statewide Actions
22M+
Public School Children Affected

This infographic shows the scope and impact of anti-CRT measures across the United States. Source: Time

The Return of “Patriotic Education”

The 1776 Commission’s revival plays a major role in Trump’s education plan. First created in 2020 and later ended by President Biden, this group pushes a cleaned-up version of American history that downplays systemic racism (Wikipedia). Restarting the commission challenges programs like The 1619 Project, which highlights Black American experiences in history stories.

Public Attitudes Toward Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Support for Teaching

Teaching Legacy of Racism

52%

Teaching CRT

27%

Racial Divide: Black respondents are 27 percentage points more likely to support teaching the legacy of racism than White respondents.

Familiarity with CRT

70%

of Americans are not familiar with CRT

Financial Coercion in Education

The risk of losing federal funds puts schools, already struggling, in a difficult spot. Many rely on this money for essential services and programs (CBS News). Financial pressure might lead administrators to limit what is taught for economic reasons.

Experts say this could limit open classroom discussions. Teachers might avoid important topics about race and identity, fearing budget cuts. This particularly affects students of color, who must see their stories and experiences acknowledged in lessons.

The Battle Over Historical Truth

Supporters see these policies as guards against “indoctrination.” Meanwhile, critics argue they’re part of a larger effort to control history narratives (Education Week). The 1776 Commission’s report avoids discussing systemic racism, offering instead an uncritical “patriotic” viewpoint.

This view ignores years of racial oppression and its effects today. It’s a direct challenge to educational efforts dealing with past wrongs and present issues.

Systemic Implications for Education

These policies could change American education in more ways than classroom lessons. They set risky examples of federal influence over what is taught and how. Local schools face significant challenges as financial threats push ideological demands.

Trump’s Executive Orders and Their Impact

Targeted Teachings

Executive orders aimed at banning critical race theory and “gender ideology” in K–12 curricula.

Federal Funding

Prohibits use of federal funds for schools teaching critical race theory.

1776 Commission

Reinstates the 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic education.”

Targeting critical race theory and gender studies exposes a plan to limit discussions on systemic inequality. These tools are essential for tackling social injustices. Removing them could hinder making education more fair.

Partisan Support for Teaching CRT

Teaching the Legacy of Racism

Democrats

+50pts

Republicans

Base
Democrats are roughly 50 points more likely to support teaching the legacy of racism than Republicans.

Teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Democrats

+37pts

Republicans

Base
Democrats are 37 points more likely to support teaching CRT than Republicans.

The Impact on Students and Classroom Dynamics

These policies not only affect educators but also have profound consequences for students. When schools shy away from discussing race and identity, students miss critical opportunities to understand the diverse society they live in. This avoidance can leave students of color feeling unseen, as their histories and experiences are omitted from the curriculum. Moreover, all students lose the chance to engage in meaningful dialogues that promote empathy and social awareness. This atmosphere creates a chilling effect, where the fear of repercussions stifles open discussion and critical thinking (ABC News; Critical race theory in the classroom: Understanding the debate).

Understanding Critical Race Theory and The 1619 Project

What Is Critical Race Theory?

Critical Race Theory Icon

Critical Race Theory is a framework that examines how laws and systems foster racial inequalities. It suggests that racism is not just about individual biases but is embedded in legal systems and policies. Understanding CRT helps explain why disparities persist in education, housing, and other sectors (Britannica; Critical race theory).

The Significance of The 1619 Project

The 1619 Project Icon

The 1619 Project is an initiative that re-examines American history by placing the experiences of Black Americans at its core. It highlights how slavery and its legacy have shaped the nation’s institutions and policies. This project invites readers to consider perspectives often left out of traditional narratives (OLLI Berkeley; Faculty Q&A: Richard Bell on The 1619 Project).

By incorporating these frameworks into education, schools can provide a more complete understanding of history. However, efforts to ban them limit students’ ability to learn about systemic issues affecting society today.

Broader Implications for Society

Silencing discussions about race and inequality has consequences that reach beyond the classroom. When educational policies restrict these topics, they hinder society’s ability to address and heal from past injustices. This limitation perpetuates ignorance and allows systemic problems to persist unchallenged. Moreover, it affects civic understanding, as future generations may lack the knowledge to participate fully in a diverse democracy. Thus, educational autonomy becomes vital for fostering an informed and engaged citizenry.

Educational autonomy allows schools to tailor curricula that meet the needs of their communities. It supports teachers in addressing complex topics that are essential for students’ growth. However, financial threats tied to curriculum content undermine this autonomy. Schools may feel pressured to alter or eliminate valuable programs to secure funding, which can degrade the quality of education (CBS News; Trump’s orders on critical race theory).

Continued Resistance and Calls for Change

Many educators and advocates continue to push back in response to these challenges. Civil rights organizations are exploring legal options to protect academic freedom and promote inclusive education. Teachers’ unions are voicing their opposition to policies that compromise educational integrity. Their efforts highlight the importance of maintaining a curriculum that reflects all students’ histories and experiences. By standing together, they aim to ensure that education remains a space for open dialogue and critical inquiry (ABC News; Critical race theory in the classroom: Understanding the debate).

Resistance and Response

Education supporters are rallying against these limits on academic freedom. Civil rights groups are readying legal actions, saying these policies break constitutional rights and educational norms. Teachers unions criticize using funding threats to control lessons.

Concerns About Teaching American History

Overall Concern

73%

of Americans across all demographics are concerned with how American history is taught.

Support for Teaching the Legacy of Racism

White

46%

Asian

58%

Hispanic

60%

Black

73%

Younger Americans (18-29) are more likely to support teaching CRT.

The debate over what gets taught dives into deeper issues about identity and values in America. While some support delving into past injustices, others fight against accepting the role of systemic racism today. These education policies mark another front in the ongoing struggle for racial justice and historical truth.

FAQ

Q: What is the executive order related to critical race theory?
A: Trump’s executive order threatens to withdraw federal funding from schools that teach critical race theory or gender studies, labeling it as “radical indoctrination.”

Q: What is the 1776 Commission?
A: The 1776 Commission promotes a sanitized version of American history, minimizing discussions on systemic racism, and is seen as a direct challenge to frameworks like The 1619 Project.

Q: How does this order affect schools financially?
A: Many schools rely on federal funding for basic operations, and the threat of losing this support may force them to censor curriculum content to avoid financial consequences.

Q: What impact does this have on classroom discussions?
A: Educational experts warn that these policies create a chilling effect, leading teachers to avoid essential discussions on race and identity for fear of triggering funding cuts.

Q: How are educators responding to these policies?
A: Educational advocates and civil rights organizations are mobilizing against these restrictions, preparing legal challenges that argue these policies violate constitutional protections and educational standards.

Q: What is the broader implication of targeting critical race theory?
A: This targeting shows a broader agenda to suppress discussions of systemic inequality, which are essential for understanding and addressing ongoing social injustices.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.