LOS ANGELES TIMES: "Board Votes to Ban Critical Race Theory in Placentia-Yorba Linda School District"

From Melissa Gomez's 4-6-22 LOS ANGELES TIMES article entitled "Board Votes to Ban Critical Race Theory in Placentia-Yorba Linda School District":

A divided Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District board voted late Tuesday night to ban the teaching of critical race theory in its classrooms, ending months of contentious debate in the Orange County school district.

The 3-2 board vote came after pointed comments from trustees, two of whom called the measure censorship. Supporters, however, said parents should be the ones who decide what to teach their children about race.

“I don’t want my politics, I don’t want your politics, I don’t want anybody’s politics in [classrooms],” said board member Leandra Blades, who supported the ban. “I do believe in teaching kids to think critically. But there are so many classes ... there are so many things you could teach your kids at home. If you really are passionate about these subjects, then teach them.”

Approved after an hour of in-person public comments — with more than half expressing opposition — the resolution encourages culturally relevant instruction and states that the district “values all students and promotes equity and equality.” But the school district will “not allow the use of critical race theory as a framework to guide such efforts.” The resolution also states “other similar frameworks” will not be used to guide teachings on race, but these teachings were not identified.

Blades argued against statements from other board members who said the resolution was politically driven and would censor educators. Last year, Blades faced calls to resign after attending the rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, that preceded the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Board President Carrie Buck, who opposed the ban, said teachers and students were largely against it.

“This is the first time in the 12 years I’ve been here that I’ve had 105 students send me an email or call me or send me messages saying, ‘Don’t do this,’” said Buck.

Board member Karin Freeman, who also voted against the ban, called it “misleading” at best and an abridgement of free speech and censorship at worst.

“This change creates obstacles and impediments for students’ success,” Freeman said. “If students aren’t able to have access to rigorous coursework, the impact will be real.”

It is not clear if the district has recorded instances where critical race theory has ever been taught in a classroom.

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