Educators in Massachusetts have voiced concerns about the potential impact of former President Donald Trump's executive order targeting what he deems "woke" education. The order, signed in January 2025, restricts federal funding for K-12 schools that teach critical race theory (CRT) or promote certain gender ideologies.

Teachers interviewed by The Boston Globe expressed worry that the restrictions could lead to self-censorship among educators, creating a chilling effect on classroom discussions about race and history. Retired history teacher Tom Jordan stated that teachers he's spoken with are "completely freaked out" by the order.

The state's largest teachers' unions have also condemned the executive order. Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, argued that understanding historical context is crucial for a functioning democracy. She believes suppressing discussions about historical events hinders students' ability to understand the present.

Marcus Walker, a humanities teacher at Fenway High School in Boston, expressed concern that the order would compromise academic freedom and promote a skewed understanding of American history. He emphasized the importance of accurate information in civic education.

This executive order follows years of national debate and parental pushback regarding CRT and other sensitive topics in school curricula. In 2021, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents issued a statement denying that CRT was being taught in the state's K-12 schools.

The order has drawn mixed reactions, with criticism from teachers' unions and support from school choice proponents. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten accused Trump of fostering division and fear in schools. Conversely, Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, welcomed the order as a positive step towards parental empowerment in education.

The executive order comes amid declining national test scores and discussions within the Trump administration about potentially dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.