Opinion: Problematic racialist bill dies in the House Education Committee

Liv Finne of the Washington Policy Center states that parents see that the school system’s concerns over ‘woke inclusivity and equity’ are degrading the quality of education their children receive

Liv Finne
Washington Policy Center

In late February SB 5462, a controversial bill to “promote inclusive learning standards and instructional materials in the public schools,” passed the state Senate by a party line vote. Only Democrats voted for it, while all the Republicans voted against it. Democrats then sent the bill to the House where it appeared to be on an easy path to passage.

To my surprise, the Chair of the House Education Committee, Sharon Tomiko-Santos (D-Seattle), killed this controversial and harmful bill. She had many good reasons for doing so.

SB 5462 would mandate that all school districts in the state use curricula and classroom instructional materials to promote the false and divisive ideologies of Critical Race Theory and radical gender theory. SB 5462 would also deny local school boards the ability to select curriculum materials and textbooks, and to guide the education of children in their communities.

Chair Santos’ most powerful reason for blocking the bill, however, is likely based on more practical considerations. Passing SB 5462 could add significantly to the tens of thousands of families who are pulling their children out of Washington public schools.

Many lawmakers know that public schools are losing students. State officials report that since 2019-20 enrollment has dropped by 43,593 students, a fall of four percent in total enrollment statewide. The percentage of children leaving public schools is even higher in some districts. Seattle Public Schools, for example, has lost 2,751 students, a five percent drop, Bellevue Public Schools has lost 1,527 students, an eight percent drop, Tacoma Public Schools has lost 2,451 students, a nine percent drop, and Spokane Public Schools has lost 2,293 students, an eight percent drop.

Parents have good reasons for leaving public education. One reason cited by parents is that the schools are now teaching the false racialist and sexist ideas of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and gender radicalism. Parents say that due to political “inclusivity and equity” agendas the schools are lowering academic standards, dropping tests, shorting credits, weakening grading, and lowering graduation requirements.

Parents see that the school system’s concerns over “woke inclusivity and equity” are degrading the quality of education their children receive.

Parental concerns are supported by the numbers. Spring 2022 test scores show Washington’s public schools failed to teach 62% of students to the required math standard set by the state, and failed to teach 49% of students to the required English standard. Naturally, many parents are looking for alternatives that will provide their children with a good education.

Chair Santos should be commended for her commonsense action and concern for children in blocking SB 5462. Her smart views appear to have prevailed on this bill, at least for this session.

Liv Finne is the director of the Center for Education at the Washington Policy Center.