The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is recommending a significant shift in K-12 education, urging states to move away from traditional literacy standards and embrace "Culturally and Historically Responsive Education." This new approach emphasizes incorporating teachings on race, anti-racism, anti-Blackness, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

In a May report, the NCTE, a prominent organization with over 25,000 members, presented this alternative curriculum as a means to promote anti-racism and combat oppression. The report's author, University of Illinois professor Gholnecsar Muhammad, argues that current standards reflect a biased perspective lacking representation from Black and Brown communities.

This proposed "Culturally Responsive Education" would prioritize teaching students about power dynamics, oppression, and anti-racism, starting as early as pre-kindergarten. The NCTE report contends that literacy has historically been taught from a "white male perspective," citing the "New England Primer" as an example of early educational materials that lacked diversity and overlooked topics of race, gender, class, sexuality, and religion.

Demonstrators hold up signs during a rally against critical race theory being taught in schools. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

The NCTE suggests a significant shift in teacher training, advocating for courses that help educators examine their own biases and internalized oppression. The organization emphasizes the importance of teaching about equity, power, justice, and freedom in the context of marginalized communities. The report stresses the need for literacy instruction that fosters students' identities and critical thinking skills, especially in challenging times.

Residents of Loudoun County, Va., helped make critical race theory a national conversation in 2021.  (Evelyn Hockstein)

While debate continues about the presence of critical race theory in classrooms, a Manhattan Institute study revealed that a significant percentage of young adults report exposure to CRT concepts in school. These concepts include ideas about unconscious bias, systemic inequities, and white privilege.

Several states have banned the teaching of critical race theory in schools. (Robert Gauthier)

Fox News Digital reached out to the NCTE for comment on the report but did not receive a response.