Idaho Senate OKs Bill Banning Critical Race Theory in Public Schools

The Idaho Senate has approved a bill that will ban critical race theory from being included in the curriculum of the state's public schools.

The said legislation passed with a 28-7 vote on Monday will prevent schools in Idaho from forcing students to personally adopt or adhere to certain critical race theory teachings, Fox News reported.

It can be recalled that other states like California have approved the ethnic studies that will be implemented statewide and will be included in the high school curriculum of their students.

Board members approved the curriculum as they highlight the importance of teaching discrimination and oppression.

Idaho Senate and Critical Race Theory

The bill, which Republicans backed, has already passed Idaho's House and is now headed to the governor's desk, Idaho News reported.

Also known as HB 377, the bill will prevent the academe from making students adopt, affirm or adhere to belief systems that one racial category is somehow inferior or superior to others or that individuals of any race, ethnicity, sex, religion, or national origin are responsible for past actions committed by members of the same group.

"This bill is Idaho's statement that we will not tolerate discrimination and we are reserving education policy and curricular choices to the state," said Republican representative Wendy Horman, a co-author of the legislation.

Republican Senator Carl Crabtree sponsored the bill.

Republicans pushed the bill out of their concerns that federal authorities may force these belief systems on Idaho students through the school curriculum.

Furthermore, HB 377 would also prohibit the state's Board of Education, school district, public charter school, and even public institution of higher education from spending funds on these "banned" teachings.

Views on the Bill

Republicans have viewed that critical race theory contradicts the unity of the nation and the state's wellbeing. Meanwhile, some Democrats from Idaho have criticized the bill.

"The bill is looking for a problem that doesn't exist in Idaho's public education system, where students are not learning lies about American history," Democratic Idaho state Senator Ali Rabe told Fox News. Rabe further noted that the bill could suppress free speech in the classrooms on topics related to sex and race.

A group composed of about 100 students has also demonstrated against the bill outside the statehouse on Monday.

"If we aren't able to recognize our flaws, we will never be able to progress beyond them," said eighth-grader Yvonne Shen, as reported by Daily Mail. Shen is a member of the Idaho Asian American Pacific Islander Youth Alliance, the group responsible for organizing the said protest.

However, Crabtree argued that the bill does not intend to "prohibit discussion in an open and freeway." Crabtree pointed out that the bill is a preventive measure and does not imply that Idaho has a rampant problem.

The passing of HB 377 in Idaho's Senate comes amid the nation's reckoning on racial justice in the wake of George Floyd's murder and several police killings of Black people.

It also follows President Joe Biden's announcement of an executive order entitled "Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities" in January.

WATCH: Idaho Bans Controversial 'Critical Race Theory' - From Sky News Australia