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Senator introduces bill to prohibit DEI policies in K–12; sponsors and opponents debate scope and effects
Summary
Sponsor Vice Chair Blessing presented Senate Bill 113 to the Senate Education Committee, saying the bill would bar DEI programs and training in public schools; proponents argued DEI prioritizes identity over merit, while other senators pressed sponsor on unintended effects for disabled students, ESL programs and targeted scholarships.
Vice Chair Blessing presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 113 to the Senate Education Committee, saying the legislation “will prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in public schools.” Blessing told the committee the bill would bar orientations or trainings on DEI, the continuation or creation of DEI offices or departments, and the use of DEI language in job descriptions.
In his testimony Blessing argued DEI “prioritizes identity over ability” and said the approach “lowers expectations” and “deepens racial divisions.” He referenced cases and federal law while arguing against DEI practices in K–12, citing Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023) to argue that racial…
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