Texas sues school district over critical race theory

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Coppell Independent School District, located just northwest of Dallas. He claims the district is illegally teaching critical race theory (CRT). This lawsuit was filed in response to a video where a curriculum director mentioned ways the district is circumventing state laws against CRT. Critical race theory asserts that racial bias exists within society and laws. Texas law forbids educators from teaching that one race or sex is superior to another. It also prohibits blaming individuals for historical actions based on their race or sex. Furthermore, the law prevents schools from requiring knowledge of the "1619 Project," which discusses the founding of America in relation to slavery. In the lawsuit, Paxton argues that the district openly admits to violating state law with its curricula. The curriculum director allegedly stated that they have found ways to continue teaching CRT. Paxton is seeking a court order to stop Coppell ISD from teaching CRT and using public funds for it. This is not the first lawsuit against Coppell ISD over CRT. In 2023, a family sued the district after their child received an assignment related to CRT. Many parents across the country have criticized the teaching of CRT in schools. Paxton emphasized that Texas children deserve a quality education without ideological influences. He aims to hold school officials accountable for teaching content that disregards state law.