Indoctrination task force focuses on Critical Race Theory in K-12 curriculum

The task force examining indoctrination in education gathered for their second meeting to address Critical Race Theory in K-12 education. Idaho private citizens spoke to the task force about their experiences. 

Task co-chair Rep. Pricilla Giddings, a Republican from White Bird, lectured the committee on equity being taught in schools and curriculums that allegedly contribute to indoctrination in K-12 academics.  

Critical Race Theory asserts that racism does not just exist on the individual level, but as a societal construct that is more deeply embedded. This concept is being contested by the task force.  

Giddings said that while she studied CRT in schools during the 2021 legislative session, equity was a common word. Giddings explained although people may have equal opportunities, there are some people who need additional help. Giddings provided an illustration used in the West Ada School District used to demonstrate the importance of equity over equality.  

Giddings said the image favors socialism because of the equitable approach, while equality sides with capitalism.  

“Equity is more about equal outcomes than equal opportunity,” Giddings said.  

Giddings showed that EL Education, a K-5 curriculum, is being adhered to by four elementary schools in Idaho. She described EL Education as anti-racist, including an example where the curriculum delves into racial concerns about Peter Pan, the children’s book.  

Giddings referenced EL Education’s solidarity with Black Lives Matter as problematic and a BLM video that was shown to elementary students by an Idaho teacher.  

Giddings put in a public records request with the Boise School District, following up with schools utilizing EL Education. Giddings went to the school and requested the EL Education curriculum. The school declined. She is currently speaking with the Attorney General’s office to take the next step in retrieving the materials.  

Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin, chair of the committee, coordinated several speakers to share their personal experiences with their children’s education. Among the speakers, Mark Hodges, a parent of a Meridian’s Compass Public Charter School, spoke about his experience with racism living in Hawaii while being white. Hodges referred to CRT as dangerous doctrine in Meridian schools. 

“Every person regardless of race can be a racist,” Hodges said.  

During the meeting, an altercation with protestors interrupted a speaker. Protestors wearing shirts that read “hands off our schools” spoke out against the task force.  

When McGeachin asked for orderliness and that they leave the view of the Idaho Public Television camera, protestors shouted, “what are you afraid of?” McGeachin continued the meeting with the protestors remaining in their seats.  

The Idaho School Board of Education and Idaho School Boards Association declined to participate in this second task force meeting. The ISBA’s major critique has been the lack of education professionals invited to join. 

ISBA President-elect, Jason Knopp, was originally on the task force. He later resigned only a week after the first meeting in May.  

Pete Coulson, a motivational speaker, has filled Knopp’s place.  

Knopp said he had reservations prior to joining the task force. He initially joined on behalf of the ISBA and its 800 school trustees. After the first meeting, Knopp was disappointed by the lack of a concrete definition of CRT. He also hoped that there would be comparisons made to Idaho core standards.  

Another frustration of Knopp’s was the absence of education stakeholders, such as representatives from the Idaho legislature involved in education, the Idaho Department of Education and the ISBE. Knopp said educators weren’t represented. 

“I’ like to formulate an opinion based on balance,” Knopp said.  

ISBE President Kurt Liebich was invited to this task force meeting to present and answer questions. Instead, Liebirch decided to not attend, citing concerns about the task force as a whole. 

“I was noncommittal, expressing my concern about statements made by some task force members during the first meeting and its overall tone,” Liebirch stated in a press release. “To date, I have not seen any evidence of indoctrination in our public education system. As a State Board, we have confidence in our local school boards and communities to address any issues.” 

Sierra Pesnell can be reached at [email protected]