5. The Backlash and Legal Challenges to the Infusion of Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education Competencies in PA Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

• In Event: Dismantling Racial+ Injustice Through Systems Change Work: A Conversation About Pennsylvania’s Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Educational Practices

Abstract

In this charged political climate, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there has been opposition to the implementation of Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) in teacher preparation and professional development. In fact, this is just the most contemporary example on a longstanding timeline of a politically conservative backlash in response to progressive gains within the world of education. To date, anti critical race theory legislation has been proposed in 44 states and has been passed in 18. These efforts surfaced in the PA state congress in June 2021 when a PA state representative introduced a bill (which has since been stalled) that would limit classroom discussions on racism and sexism. Most recently, a lawsuit has been filed against PDE related to the CRSE competencies and two state legislators have filed bills for their abrogation. PEDC has collaborated with other organizations within PA to safeguard the competencies through strategic education and mobilization of its invested partners. In this presentation, we will describe this push back and contextualize it within the ongoing national threats to educational opportunities. We will also articulate our response aimed at dismantling racial injustices embedded in educational practices as well as lessons learned that can inform others efforts to advocate for this urgent and important area of teacher preparation and professional.

Authors

• Juliet D. Curci, Temple University

• Ashley N. Patterson, Pennsylvania State University

• Beth Zampogna, Pennsylvania State Education Association