South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem took action to ensure critical race theory will not be taught in South Dakota’s K-12 schools after the state Legislature failed to pass a similar bill during its 2022 legislative session.
After signing the executive order Tuesday, Noem said, “Political indoctrination has no place in our classrooms.”
“Our children will not be taught that they are racists or that they are victims, and they will not be compelled to feel responsible for the mistakes of their ancestors,” Noem said. “We will guarantee that our students learn America’s true and honest history — that includes both our triumphs and our mistakes.”
The executive order prevents schools from requiring employees or students to affirm or follow “inherently divisive concepts” and asks the state’s secretary of education and its Department of Education to review policies and materials to ensure such concepts are not included.
‘EMBARRASSED BY YOUR LEADERSHIP’: GAETZ BLASTS AUSTIN’S ‘WOKEISM’
Noem outlined “inherently divisive concepts” to address “any ideas in violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964,” including the shunning of notions that any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin are superior to another and are grounds for discrimination. The executive order also prohibits educational ideas that suggest people’s character, or that of their ancestors, is determined by their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
On March 21, Noem signed a bill prohibiting mandated critical race theory training in higher education.
“No student or teacher should have to endorse critical race theory in order to attend, graduate from, or teach at our public universities,” Noem said at the signing of H.B. 1012. “College should remain a place where freedom of thought and expression are encouraged, not stifled by political agendas.”
