Pennsylvania’s Education Department scraps controversial teaching guidelines following a lawsuit settlement, marking a shift in the state’s approach to cultural education.
At a Glance
- Pennsylvania Department of Education rescinds Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) guidelines
- Settlement follows lawsuit claiming guidelines violated First Amendment rights
- New “Common Ground Framework” introduced as voluntary alternative
- Focus shifts to digital literacy, mental health, and inclusion of marginalized groups
Lawsuit Challenges Controversial Guidelines
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has rescinded its Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) guidelines following a settlement with several Western Pennsylvania school districts, teachers, and parents. The legal challenge, spearheaded by the Thomas More Society, a conservative legal group, claimed that the guidelines were issued illegally and infringed upon teachers’ First Amendment rights.
“The public schools, teachers, and parents never had an opportunity to be heard on these issues,” stated Thomas W. King III, an attorney involved in the case.
The CR-SE guidelines, which required teachers to reflect on their biases, challenge microaggressions, and provide equitable learning opportunities for marginalized groups, were criticized for being implemented without proper rule-making processes. The lawsuit argued that the guidelines imposed specific beliefs on educators, overstepping constitutional boundaries.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education agreed to reverse a progressive policy after a legal nonprofit challenged its standing in court. | @WelzAlex https://t.co/CXOPtaQX55
— National Review (@NRO) November 15, 2024
Settlement and New Framework
As part of the settlement, the PDE has agreed to notify schools that they are no longer legally obligated to implement the CR-SE guidelines. In their place, the department is introducing a new “Common Ground Framework,” which incorporates elements of the former guidelines while expanding focus to include student trauma and technology engagement.
“They’re quite radical,” King commented on the original guidelines. “You can’t regulate thought that way.”
The new framework aims to strike a balance by including competencies in cultural awareness, trauma-aware mental health, and technological engagement. However, the specifics of these guidelines are still being finalized. It’s important to note that while the settlement affects K-12 public schools, it does not impact colleges and universities or prevent individual school districts from adopting the former guidelines independently.
Implications for Education
The rescinding of the CR-SE guidelines marks a significant shift in Pennsylvania’s approach to cultural education. While teacher preparation programs are still required to cover culturally relevant education, the guidelines for this requirement are changing.
The settlement is viewed as a victory by those who opposed the guidelines as ideological. Critics argued that the original framework, which required teachers to design learning experiences that question power structures and disrupt so-called harmful practices, overstepped its bounds. The new Common Ground Framework, while encouraging understanding of differences in marginalized and historically underrepresented groups, takes a less prescriptive approach.
“Educational standards should help students learn how to think, not what they must believe,” he said. “This victory against Pennsylvania’s ‘woke’ curriculum mandate restores that opportunity for Pennsylvania families and teachers,” said Thomas More Society executive vice president and head of litigation Peter Breen.
The voluntary nature of the new guidelines allows for more flexibility in implementation, potentially easing tensions between different educational philosophies. Moving forward, the challenge will be to balance cultural awareness and inclusivity with respect for individual beliefs and constitutional rights in the classroom.
