Today, we’re looking at some legislation and news pertaining to what goes on in school every day! Check it out!
Arizona
- Critical Race Theory Ban
- Why we’re watching: As legislators across the country seek to limit students’ understanding of the Black and Brown struggle for equality, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has banned the teaching of critical race theory in schools. While proponents of the bill argue that it’s about not inducing guilt on students, it’s actually about preserving a whitewashed version of our history.
- School Spending Cuts
- Why we’re watching: In the 1980s, Arizona voters approved school spending limits. Now, almost 40 years later, the state’s public schools are facing potential cuts of over $1 billion. Legislators have just over three weeks to act on the issue. Most of their focus is on creating a band-aid for the problem, rather than addressing the root inequities of school funding.
California
- School Mask Mandates
- Why we’re watching: Even as the pandemic rages around us, killing hundreds per day, California is rethinking its school mask mandate. The state will likely end the pandemic directive soon, leaving students exposed to an ever-evolving virus as their elected officials completely give up on its containment.
Missouri
- HB 120
- Why we’re watching: Missouri Rep. Ian Mackey struggled with following classroom rules as a young student. Now, he’s proposed a ban on out-of-school suspensions for students ranging from pre-K to third grade. Studies have found that in Missouri, such suspensions disproportionately impact Black students, so we’ll be closely monitoring this legislation.
New Jersey
- SB 820
- Why we’re watching: This bill would establish a Division of School Segregation in New Jersey, the primary mission of which would be to study and identify socioeconomic segregation of school districts. We applaud the idea, which the New Jersey Senate Education Committee passed just last week, sending the bill to the Senate floor.
What do you think of the news in this week’s legislative roundup? Did we miss anything? Drop us a line on any of our social channels or hit us up through our contact us form. Let us know what’s happening in YOUR neighborhood!
