Governor Kristi Noem has released (Dec. 20, 2021) the text of her draft legislation to block Critical Race Theory as the basis of education for South Dakota students.
Noem says Americans believe ‘all men are created equal,’ and we also believe the American dream is available to all regardless of race, color, or national origin. She says schools should teach children our nation’s true and honest history. They should teach about the successes in establishing a country that is a beacon of freedom to the world, but also teach about our mistakes along the way. Noem believes children should not, however, be taught the false and divisive message that they are responsible for the shortcomings of past generations and other members of our respective races.
The legislation blocks any education based on the following false tenets:
- That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior;
- That individuals should be adversely treated or feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or
- That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.
Noem previously addressed CRT with her signing of Executive Order 2021-11, which she says blocked federal civics and history grants from being pursued in South Dakota.
Noem says she was the first candidate for public office in the country to sign the 1776 Pledge to Save Our Schools, and she published an op-ed with Dr. Ben Carson outlining that decision.
You can read Noem’s draft legislation below or by clicking here.
2022 Bill Draft: Protecting Students from Critical Race Theory
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to protect students from critical race theory.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added:
No institution of higher education under the control of either the Board of Regents or the Board of Technical Education or a state accredited school district shall direct or otherwise compel students to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to any of the following tenets:
1) That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior; or
2) That individuals should be adversely treated or feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin; or
3) That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added:
No distinction or classification of students shall be made on account of race or color. No course of instruction or unit of study directing or otherwise compelling students to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to any of the tenets identified in Section 1 of this Act shall be used or introduced in any institution of higher education under the control of either the Board of Regents or the Board of Technical Education or a state accredited school district. Nothing in this section should be construed to prohibit the required collection or reporting of demographic data by institutions of higher education or state accredited school districts.
Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added:
No funds may be expended for any purpose prohibited in Section 1 or Section 2 by any institution of higher education under the control of either the Board of Regents or the Board of Technical Education, the department of education or its boards or agencies, or state accredited school district.
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