As staff, parents, and community members inquire about the District's stance on Critical Race Theory, the following question and answer has been developed as a reference.

 

Q. What is Critical Race Theory (CRT)?

A. Critical Race Theory was founded by legal scholars Derrick Bell, Kimberle Crenshaw and Richard Delgado. It is an academic theory for legal frameworks that center race as a social construct. CRT seeks to critically examine U.S. law as it intersects with issues of race in the U.S. It is utilized in other disciplines and academic research related to humanities and sociology as it examines social, cultural, and legal issues primarily as they related to race and racism in the United States. It is a theoretical framework; a critical lens exemplified through academic research and analysis.

 

Q. Is Critical Race Theory taught to students in Cheney Public Schools?

A. No.

 

Q. Is Critical Race Theory part of the required equity training in WA (SB 5044)?

A. No. SB 5044 requires all school staff (certificated instructional staff, classified staff, certificated administrative staff, school directors and superintendents) to participate in training regarding cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion which is not Critical Race Theory.

 

Q. Is Critical Race Theory the same as Culturally Responsive Teaching?

A. No. Culturally Responsive Teaching, also called culturally relevant teaching, is a pedagogy that recognizes the importance of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning. 

 

Q. Is Cheney Public Schools purchasing any curriculum to teach CRT?

A. No.