Chip Roy fights critical race theory with new education bills
- Representative Chip Roy introduced two bills focused on combating critical race theory in schools, aiming to defund those that promote such theories.
- The Combating Racist Teaching in Schools Act would stop federal funding to schools teaching certain race-based theories, echoing a sentiment from parents for more control over education.
- These legislative efforts reflect a Republican mandate to shift educational authority away from federal levels and empower parents to guide their children's learning.
In February 2023, Representative Chip Roy, a Republican from Texas, introduced two significant bills designed to reshape educational practices related to critical race theory (CRT) in the United States. This legislative initiative seeks to empower parents by providing them with the option to choose alternative educational resources for their children while simultaneously defunding schools that are perceived to promote divisions based on race. The Combating Racist Teaching in Schools Act aims to block federal funding for educational institutions that incorporate race-based theories into their curricula, arguing that such instruction fosters a perspective of institutional racism aimed at influencing students' views of America negatively. In addition to the CRT-focused legislation, the Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning Act directs federal education funds to follow students as they transition between different schooling options, including non-public schools. This bill reinforces the idea that parents should have greater control over their children's education and acknowledges a growing sentiment among families for educational reform that reflects their values and beliefs. Roy posited that this approach aligns with a broader desire expressed by parents in recent months to reclaim educational authority from the federal government and return it to state and local jurisdictions. This legislative push builds on executive orders previously signed by former President Trump, aimed at limiting federal influence on education and ending practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that might promote division rather than unity among students. Roy emphasizes that indoctrinating youth into a viewpoint that promotes a negative perception of the country is not only detrimental but poses a fundamental threat to the core American values as envisioned by the nation’s founders. Politically, the environment surrounding these proposed bills indicates a divide, as Republicans hold a slight majority in both chambers of Congress, while the likelihood of Democratic support appears minimal. However, there is a potential pathway for these bills through the reconciliation process in the Senate, which allows for a majority vote without the threat of a filibuster. Roy's actions represent a continuation of a broader movement within conservative circles to reshape educational approaches and restore parental authority in decision-making regarding academic content.