Race education

A bill encouraging schools to adopt certain standards on instructional materials that deal with race and ethnicity gained the favor of the Arkansas House on Wednesday.

House Bill 1761 by Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, says schools shall not teach that any race or ethnicity is superior, that any member of any race or ethnicity is inherently racist, that the United States is systemically racist, or promote prejudice or discrimination toward any race or ethnicity.

The bill says local school boards may implement those recommendations, and there is no enforcement mechanism for schools that do not do so. Lowery said he had agreed to amend the bill on the Senate end to further clarify that the bill is permissive with language provided by the Arkansas School Boards Association.

Lowery said the bill was a result of a collaboration with House Education Committee members Rep. Gayla McKenzie, R-Gravette, and Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna. Though Murdock ultimately disagreed with the provision aiming to prevent schools from teaching that the United State is systemically racist, he said he supported the bill because it would not preclude teachers from instructing on historical facts and because the collaboration represents progress.

Democratic representatives who spoke against the bill said it would preclude teaching about systemic inequities, and that more lawmakers of color should have been brought to the table.

The chamber voted 63-13 to send the measure to the state Senate for further consideration. Three lawmakers voted present.