Tennessee Education Dept. posts draft rule on critical race theory, seeks public comment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee Department of Education has released guidelines on how to navigate a new law prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory in the classroom.

The new rule is posted as a draft on the education department's website and is open to public comment for 10 days, beginning on Aug. 2.Click here to view the rule and comment.

This draft rule provides the procedure for how the department will implement the new law.

Department officials said once comments have been received and reviewed, the rule will be submitted to the state Attorney General's office to begin the emergency rule promulgation process.

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Tennessee banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory in schools during the last legislative session,passing a law to withhold funding from public schools that teaches students that one race bears responsibility for the past actions against another, that the United States is fundamentally racist or that a person is inherently privileged or oppressive due to their race.

JC Bowman, Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said that enforcement of the law could be challenging.

On the surface, it looks like a very deliberative process. We think enforcement could be challenging. The key will be at the local level, and stakeholder groups working to ensure our educators understand this new law. We plan to solicit educator input and give that input to policymakers. Ultimately, people on both sides of this debate want students to become good citizens, who are able of safeguarding our democracy and stewarding our nation toward a greater understanding of our shared American values.

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