Creates provisions related to curricula and instruction in public schools
Impact
If enacted, SB 676 would have significant implications for public school curricula across the state of Missouri. It would require the state board of education to adopt a policy that prohibits the promotion of divisive concepts in educational settings. This shift could limit discussions surrounding historical and social issues that relate to race and gender, fundamentally changing how educators approach these subjects and potentially impacting student understanding of diversity and systemic issues.
Summary
Senate Bill 676, introduced by Senator Brown, proposes to amend Chapter 160 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new section aimed at regulating the content of public school curricula and instruction. The bill defines 'divisive concepts' as a range of ideas related to race and gender that suggest inherent superiority, systemic racism or sexism, and promote guilt or discomfort based on an individual's race or gender. The intent of this legislation is to ban the inclusion of such concepts within the educational framework, effectively altering how issues of race and gender are taught in public schools.
Contention
The bill has generated notable points of contention among legislators, educators, and civil rights advocates. Proponents of SB 676 argue that it aims to create a more unified and non-contentious educational environment by preventing the teaching of concepts that could be deemed divisive. However, critics assert that the bill undermines comprehensive education and hinders discussions on critical social issues. There are concerns that limiting discussions about race and gender may isolate students from important historical contexts and societal realities, thus impacting their overall educational experience.