Last week, University Council purge its Advanced Placement course in African American Studies after the DeSantis administration banned the experimental version, citing readings on the theory of homosexuality and reparation for slavery. The university board said The changes were not a submission to political pressure and were decided in December.
Next, Mr. DeSantis launched an initiative to end diversity and equity programs in universities, require courses on Western civilization, and undermine safeguards for the rights period of professors.
Mr. DeSantis’ communications officer did not respond to a request for comment.
The current era of Republican culture-driven educational attacks begins in 2020 during the pandemic with a parallel crusade against mask regulation in schools and photos. supposed influence of the critical race theory.
However, the political power of the opposition to the critical race theory – which has become a pocket for conservative complaints about the teaching of American history and racial inequality – the big disappeared after last year’s midterm general election. a september voting memo of the Republican National Committee warned candidates that “the focus on CRT and masks will stimulate the Republican base, but parental rights and quality education will motivate those independence”.
Of the $9.3 million spent on campaign ads addressing critical race theory by 2022, in nearly 50 races for the House, Senate, and governor, according to an analysis by AdImpact. , almost all of which is spent in primaries. The issue was raised only in eight general election ads.
Conservative groups in 2022 have also supported hundreds of candidates in local school board races with limited success. In nearly 1,800 races nationwide, were conservative school board candidates who opposed discussions of race or gender in the classroom, or those who opposed pandemic response measures. such as the requirement to wear a mask, only win 30% of the races, according to vote, a website that tracks elections in the United States.
“The Republicans have done a great job of creating problems that aren’t problems,” said John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster who worked for President Biden. He predicts that, by 2024, the education issues currently being raised by potential Republican presidential candidates will come up in the primaries but will leave voters unsatisfied in the election. elections.
