Latest news with #CoppellIndependentSchoolDistrict
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas AG Ken Paxton accuses Coppell ISD of violating Texas' 'critical race theory' ban
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued leaders of the Coppell Independent School District for allegedly flouting state restrictions on teaching 'critical race theory' in public schools, based on an undercover video published by a conservative activist group. In the lawsuit filed last week in Dallas County, Paxton's office accused Coppell ISD administrators of violating a state law that, among other prescriptions, prohibits schools from teaching that 'one race or sex is inherently superior to another' or requiring students to understand the New York Times' 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning report that examined U.S. history from the date when enslaved people first arrived to America. The school district has about 13,000 students, according to state data, most of whom are Asian and Hispanic while about a quarter are white. The lawsuit points to a video published in February by Accuracy in Media, a group with right-wing ties, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate and bigotry targeting marginalized communities. The two-minute-long video depicts an undercover representative of Accuracy in Media talking to Evan Whitfield, Coppell ISD's director of curriculum and instruction. 'Our concern is more that they're going to, and I don't know where you are politically, but it's like, learn a [Make America Great Again] version of history instead of an accurate depiction of real world events,' the undercover person told Whitfield. 'One thing that I love about this district is that despite what our state standards say and despite what, you know, is going on, we do what's right for kids,' Whitfield responded in the video. The remarks are among the ones cited by Paxton's office in the lawsuit. 'Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions,' Paxton said in a statement Wednesday that drew attention to the suit. 'Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them.' A request for comment sent to Coppell ISD spokespeople Wednesday returned an automatic response that the school system is closed this week for spring break. Gov. Greg Abbott signed in 2021 legislation that prescribes how teachers in Texas classrooms can talk about American racism history and current events. The state joined a short list of those across the nation that sought to ban the teaching of 'critical race theory' in K-12 public school classrooms — an advanced academic concept that discusses systemic racism and is more often found in law school and college syllabi, according to scholars. The discipline is not taught in public schools but the term has become shorthand for some conservatives' criticism of how children learn about race and racism. As the 2021 measure was debated in the Legislature, proponents argued they were trying to rid public education of personal biases. Educators and education advocates expressed worries that politics were dictating instruction for the state's 5.5 million public schoolchildren. The video of the Coppell ISD administrator was first published by Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at Accuracy in Media and self-described 'school choice evangelist.' Accuracy in Media has drawn controversy in the past, most recently in August at Columbia University. The group's Center for Investigative Journalism is directed by Cliff Kincaid, who the Southern Poverty Law Center said 'is actually an unrepentant propagandist for extremist right-wing causes who knows few boundaries in his attempts to smear liberal foes.' On Wednesday, Accuracy in Media touted its undercover video and celebrated Paxton's office citing it in the suit. 'This lawsuit proves why investigative journalism matters,' the group said in a statement. 'Accuracy in Media has repeatedly exposed how school districts violate state laws and mislead parents about what is being taught in classrooms. Now, thanks to our work, Texas is taking action.' Disclosure: Southern Poverty Law Center and New York Times have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
CBS News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas AG Ken Paxton suing Coppell ISD over allegedly teaching critical race theory
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Coppell Independent School District officials for allegedly "illegally teaching critical race theory," his office announced Wednesday. According to the Attorney General's Office, the lawsuit was filed after a video allegedly showed the district's director of curriculum and instruction, Evan Whitfield, having a conversation on how the district had "gotten around" bans on the use of critical race theory in state policies and curriculum "by saying we're not teaching [CRT]." The AG's Office claimed that Whitfield further discussed how, despite what the state mandates, Coppell ISD does "what's right." Critical race theory is an academic and legal framework that examines how race and racism intersect with laws, policies, and institutions. It originated in the 1970s and 1980s among legal scholars who argued that racism is not just a matter of individual bias but is embedded in legal systems and societal structures, Daniel HoSang, professor of ethnicity, race and migration and American studies at Yale University, told the Texas Tribune in 2021. "These scholars and writers are asking, 'why is it that racial inequality endures and persists, even decades after these laws have passed?'" HoSang said. "Why is racism still enduring? And how do we contribute to abolishing it?" In the video, Whitfield was asked if a teacher could close the door and teach "what's right." Whitfield's responded, "Shh, that's what we do," the AG's Office said. Whitfield also allegedly boasted about using "Next General Science Standards" curriculum, which isn't approved by the State Board of Education. Textbooks with similar approaches to "environmental education" have also been rejected by the board. "Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions," Paxton said in a statement. "Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them. My lawsuit aims to put an immediate end to this illegal and hateful curriculum and immediately stop the blatant refusal to follow state law by certain officials at Coppell ISD." CBS Texas reached out to Coppell ISD for comment, but a district spokesperson said they won't be responding until the district returns from spring break next week. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as "critical race theory" and other material dealing with race and sexuality or risk losing their federal money. Trump called critical race theory an "inherently racist policy." The Education Department's Office for Civil Rights investigates allegations of civil rights violations and can impose sanctions up to a total loss of federal money, though that penalty has almost never been used and must be approved by a judge.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Red state suing school district for illegally teaching critical race theory
EXCLUSIVE – The State of Texas, led by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vocal Trump ally, is suing a school district just northwest of Dallas for allegedly illegally continuing to teach critical race theory (CRT) in its classrooms. CRT is a concept that teaches that racial bias is inherent in parts of society and that discrimination is systematically embedded in certain aspects of law and policy. Paxton's office said that the suit was launched in response to a video showing Coppell Independent School District (ISD) Director of Curriculum Evan Whitfield discussing how the district had "gotten around" prohibitions on the use of CRT in state policies and curricula. According to the suit, which was filed today in the District Court of Dallas County, Whitfield further stated that "despite what our state standards say," Coppell ISD does "what's right." Gov. Glenn Youngkin: This Is About Ending Illegal Discrimination Teaching CRT violates a Texas law that prohibits educators from kindergarten through 12th grade from teaching that "one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex" or that "an individual, by virtue of the individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive." Read On The Fox News App The same law also stipulates that no educator in the state can require an understanding of the "1619 Project," a historical study founded by New York Times writer Nikole Hannah-Jones that attempts to reframe American history as being founded and rooted in slavery. The project has been marred with credible accusations of historical distortions and inaccuracies. Texas law stipulates that an educator cannot teach that any person, because of their race or sex, bears responsibility, blame or guilt for actions committed in the past. The law also prohibits teachers from imposing the idea that meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or that the advent of slavery in America constituted the true founding of the United States, concepts commonly associated with the 1619 Project. Sen. Jim Banks Calls To 'Eliminate And Abolish' Education Dept: 'Long Time Coming' According to the suit, Whitfield "unequivocally stated that the policy of Coppell Independent School District is to teach curricula in violation of state law and direction, using funds and other resources of the district to develop and distribute for teaching CRT curricula." The suit further alleges that Whitfield responded to a question about whether the district would be in trouble for violating the law by saying, "We've gotten around it by saying we're not teaching it." The lawsuit alleges that "when asked if the teacher can just close the door and teach 'what's right,' Whitfield responded, 'Shh, that's what we do.'" Paxton is seeking to have the court issue a permanent injunction keeping Coppell ISD officials from teaching CRT and using tax-dollar funds to distribute CRT materials. Instead, Paxton says Coppell ISD must implement a "color blind" curriculum in line with Texas law. Texas Private School Integrates Ai, Reports Students Learning 'Faster' This is not the first time Coppell ISD has been sued for illegally teaching CRT. The Texas Scorecard, a Texas-based conservative outlet, reported in 2023 that a North Texas family sued Coppell ISD after their 10th-grade son, who was a student at New Tech High School in Coppell ISD, was given a CRT-based assignment by his chemistry teacher. According to the Texas Scorecard, the teacher stipulated that students "research and write about diverse atomic theory scientists" and they could not choose an "old, dead, white guy." Commenting on his lawsuit, Paxton said that "Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them." "Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions," said Paxton. "My lawsuit aims to put an immediate end to this illegal and hateful curriculum and immediately stop the blatant refusal to follow state law by certain officials at Coppell ISD."Original article source: EXCLUSIVE: Red state suing school district for illegally teaching critical race theory
Fox News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: Red state suing school district for illegally teaching critical race theory
EXCLUSIVE – The State of Texas, led by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vocal Trump ally, is suing a school district just northwest of Dallas for allegedly illegally continuing to teach critical race theory in its classrooms. Critical race theory – also known by its acronym "CRT" – is a concept that teaches racial bias is inherent in parts of society and that discrimination is systematically embedded in certain aspects of law and policy. Paxton's office said that the suit was launched in response to a video showing Coppell Independent School District Director of Curriculum Evan Whitfield discussing how the district had "gotten around" prohibitions on the use of CRT in state policies and curricula. According to the suit, which was filed today in the District Court of Dallas County, Whitfield further stated that "despite what our state standards say," Coppell ISD does "what's right." Teaching CRT violates a Texas law that prohibits educators from kindergarten through twelfth grade from teaching that "one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex" or that "an individual, by virtue of the individual's race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive." The same law also stipulates that no educator in the state can require an understanding of the "1619 Project," a historical study founded by New York Times writer Nikole Hannah-Jones that attempts to reframe American history as being founded and rooted in slavery. The project has been marred with credible accusations of historical distortions and inaccuracies. Texas law stipulates that an educator cannot teach that any person, because of their race or sex, bears responsibility, blame, or guilt for actions committed in the past. The law also prohibits teachers from imposing the idea that meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or that the advent of slavery in America constituted the true founding of the United States, concepts commonly associated with the 1619 Project. According to the suit, Whitfield "unequivocally stated that the policy of Coppell Independent School District is to teach curricula in violation of state law and direction, using funds and other resources of the district to develop and distribute for teaching CRT curricula." The suit further alleges that Whitfield responded to a question on whether the district would be in trouble for violating the law by saying, "We've gotten around it by saying we're not teaching it." The lawsuit alleges that "when asked if the teacher can just close the door and teach 'what's right,' Defendant Whitfield responded, 'Shh, that's what we do.'" Paxton is seeking to have the court issue a permanent injunction keeping Coppell ISD officials from teaching CRT and using tax dollar funds to distribute CRT materials. Instead, Paxton says Coppell ISD must implement a "color blind" curriculum in line with Texas law. This is not the first time Coppell ISD has been sued for illegally teaching CRT. The Texas Scorecard, a Texas-based conservative outlet, reported in 2023 that a North Texas family sued Coppell ISD after their 10th-grade son who was a student at New Tech High School in Coppell ISD, was given a CRT-based assignment by his chemistry teacher. According to the Texas Scorecard the teacher stipulated that students "research and write about diverse atomic theory scientists" and they could not choose an "old, dead, white guy." Commenting on his lawsuit, Paxton said that "Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them." "Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions," said Paxton. "My lawsuit aims to put an immediate end to this illegal and hateful curriculum and immediately stop the blatant refusal to follow state law by certain officials at Coppell ISD."
