The first person who reports the teaching of critical race theory in a New Hampshire classroom can now claim a $500 “reward” from the local chapter of a group called Moms for Liberty.
The national organization has opposed school mask mandates, diversity initiatives and “indoctrination,” among other issues.
We've got $500 for the person that first successfully catches a public school teacher breaking this law.
Students, parents, teachers, school staff… We want to know! We will pledge anonymity if you want. https://t.co/hA7fqvj62u
— Moms for Liberty NH (@Moms4LibertyNH) November 12, 2021
The “Right to Freedom from Discrimination in Public Workplaces and Education” law passed in New Hampshire this summer purports to ensure schools provide students with “a safe and encouraging environment that instills hope and promise for a bright future.”
The state’s Department of Education is encouraging parents to file a complaint if they “believe that they, or their child, was discriminated against because their child’s school was teaching and/or advocating that one identified group is”:
- Inherently superior or inferior to people of another identified group
- Inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously
- Should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment
- Should not treat members of other identified groups equally
The department’s website instructs residents on how to file a complaint against educators who have violated this code of conduct. It also provides guidance for schools on complying with the law.
I taught Social Studies in NH schools for 25 years and served as a board member on the state SS curriculum development! There is absolutely no truth that CRT is part of the curriculum! https://t.co/wqej0CbUCX…
— SOS ????????????????⛷ (@SPNHresident) November 14, 2021
The guidance says schools are allowed to teach historical subjects such as slavery, treatment of the Native American population, Jim Crow laws, segregation, treatment of women, treatment of LGBTQ+ people, treatment of people with disabilities, treatment of people based on their religion or the Civil Rights movement. “Nor does anything prohibit discussions related to current events including, but not limited to: the Black Lives Matter movement, efforts to promote equality and inclusion, or other contemporary events that impact certain identified groups,” the guidance says.
Also, schools have not violated the law if a student or parent complains that a lesson or discussion made them feel uncomfortable.
“It is important to note that education related to racism, sexism and other practices or beliefs that have harmed or continue to harm certain identified groups may make students, faculty, or parents uncomfortable,” the guidance says. “These lessons may encourage or prompt students to reflect upon whether and how racism, sexism or other practices have or have not affected their lives. Even discussion of historical practices and their lingering impact upon different identified groups can cause this discomfort.”
Still, the American Federation of Teachers’ New Hampshire chapter sternly objected to the Department of Education’s use of its web page to encourage complaints against teachers and called for the resignation of
Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut for raising a “false flag.”
“It was bad enough that the law tried to find a problem that doesn’t exist—no teacher in New Hampshire teaches that any group is inherently superior or inferior to another,” AFT-New Hampshire President Deb Howes said in a statement. “Totally innocent teachers could lose their teaching license over claims that are not backed up by any evidence. Edelblut has declared a war on teachers, a war that the overwhelming majority of N.H. parents will find repulsive.”
