A Texas group of educators who were assigned to review state curriculum standards have proposed replacing "slavery" with "involuntary relocation" in 2nd grade social studies instruction, according to a statement last week from the state Board of Education.
The state board, however, “voted unanimously to send the language back to be reworked,” according to board chair Keven Ellis. Ellis said the language “did not paint a clear or full picture” of African people who were sold into slavery.
Changes proposed by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, review working group, which includes university professors, came after Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the state’s anti-critical race theory bill in June 2021. The bill took effect Sept. 1.
The Texas anti-CRT law aims to prohibit discourse in the classroom that make students "feel discomfort," among other things. Those criticizing the law say it is meant to limit discussions around racism and slavery in the U.S. Senate Bill 3 also dictates how slavery and issues of race are taught in Texas.
In sending the TEKS recommendations back for revision, the state board wrote in its guidance, “For K-2, carefully examine the language used to describe events, specifically the term ‘involuntary relocation,” according to the Texas Tribune.
The board of education is expected to adopt final revisions in November.
