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This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.

Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF

Are some states moving to limit teaching about concepts associated with ‘critical race theory’?

Saturday, May 22, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

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YES

Critical race theory examines anti-Black racism through history, law and culture. Proponents argue that confronting topics such as slavery, Jim Crow laws and white supremacy promotes racial justice while opponents argue that it paints America as “inherently evil” and sows racial division.

CBS News counts “nearly a dozen states [that] want to ban critical race theory in schools.”

Earlier this month, Idaho became the first state to prohibit teachings of concepts allegedly promoted by CRT, including blaming individuals in the present for past acts of members of their race.

Last year, the Trump administration banned federal funding for workplace training programs incorporating CRT. Following a House committee report that many federal agencies, universities and companies had curtailed diversity and inclusion training, President Biden revoked the ban on his first day in office.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Britannica Critical race theory

CBS News Nearly a dozen states want to ban critical race theory in schools

Idaho Legislature An act relating to dignity and nondiscrimination in public education

Office of Management and Budget Training in the federal government

House Committee on Oversight and Reform Open letter regarding Trump administration’s ban on anti-racism and diversity trainings

White House Executive order on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government

Edweek What is critical race theory and why is it under attack?

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Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

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About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.