Language on a Dallas ISD website allegedly suggests that critical race theory (CRT) has been implemented within the school district.
CRT is an educational framework that examines racism allegedly embedded in the country’s laws, regulations, rules, and procedures that lead to differential outcomes based on race.
The language in question is from the Dallas ISD News Hub post announcing the first Racial Equity Leadership Training Team under the Racial Equity Office (REO) in December 2018.
The announcement outlines the REO’s strategic professional development framework and highlights “Implicit bias / Unconscious bias, Cultural Intelligence, Cultural Competency, Culturally Responsive and Relevant Teaching and Learning.”
The website continues by saying, “[T]he REO recognizes the need to deliver content on the historical ramifications of race, which is why Critical Race Theory through the medium of ongoing ‘Courageous Conversations’ will be an overlay of the professional development framework in various context.”
According to the page, the leadership training team participated in a two-day training conducted by the Cultural Intelligence Center.
The Center’s website states that cultural intelligence “is a globally recognized way of assessing and improving effectiveness in culturally diverse situations, and “rooted in rigorous, academic research conducted across more than 100 countries.”
“Training for Dallas ISD district employees started Fall 2018 and will continue throughout the 2019 spring semester; with ongoing professional development each year,” the Dallas ISD announcement read.
“Eventually, students will also receive educational content designed specifically to enhance student professional growth and development to support their transition into a globalized world full of culture,” Dallas ISD added.
However, to Ben Davis, the husband of Republican Dallas County Judge candidate Lauren Davis, the announcement proves that CRT has been implemented in the school district. He pointed out to The Dallas Express that Pam Lear, the chief of staff to the controversial Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, heads the REO.
“Effectively, the Superintendent has direct control and oversight over REO and Critical Race Theory implementation,” said Davis in a statement.
Davis pointed to a debate between Edwin Flores, trustee in Dallas ISD since 2005, and his wife Lauren, during the Republican primary for Dallas County Judge. Flores denied that CRT exists anywhere within the school district.
Flores pointed out that teaching CRT in school is banned by state law and emphasized he does not support the teaching of the framework.
“There is absolutely no evidence… and no one has ever brought forth any evidence that it is happening in Dallas ISD,” Flores said. “Show me where CRT is being taught in the Dallas ISD and then we can pass policies to prohibit it.”
Davis says this is false, citing a 2018 vote in favor of funding the REO with $3 million over three years, approved unanimously by school board trustees, including Flores.
“This is funding towards the same items mentioned in the [Dallas ISD website], thus tying funding to Critical Race Theory and ALL Trustees supporting this funding and these initiatives,” Davis said.
The Dallas Express reached out to Trustee Flores for a comment on the matter but did not receive a response.