Classroom discussion is a cornerstone of effective instruction. But seventeen states have now enacted legislation that makes it harder and harder for teachers and administrators to determine what type of discussion is acceptable. For example, Oklahoma has now banned the use of the phrase “diversity,” restricted classroom discussions of racism, and removed classic literature like To Kill a Mockingbird and A Raisin in the Sun from their list of anchor texts.

Four of these seventeen states … Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma … are now facing legal challenges to such laws. This article in Education Week delves deeply into the topic, and offers an overview of the lawsuits filed in each state. One key argument is that the legislative language is so vague and ambiguous that it is essentially impossible to implement. Another is that laws prohibiting schools from conducting diversity, equity, and inclusion training clearly violate First Amendment rights.

It’s important to note that Arkansas is one of the seventeen states that now have a “divisive concept” law in place (AR SB627.2021). Thus it’s likely that the results of the Oklahoma and Florida lawsuits will impact the future course of such legislation in our state as well. Prudent educational administrators will want to monitor developments in this evolving situation closely.

Watch for later posts on this topic as additional information becomes available …