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Texas Senate committees ordered to review university tenure, public school library books
Texas Senate committees ordered to review university tenure, public school library books
KERA | By Julián Aguilar
Published April 4, 2022 at 4:37 PM CDT
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s marching orders come after he threatened to revoke tenure for some professors at public universities who teach about critical race theory and its history.
After the Texas Legislature passed controversial legislation that limits what students K-12 are taught in the state’s public schools, the lieutenant governor has now tasked state senators with monitoring similar historical subject matter in higher education.
On a list of 84 interim charges released Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick included a directive for the Texas Senate’s Higher Education Committee to ensure that tenets of what’s known as critical race theory — generally described as an academic discipline that examines the roles of race and racism in American history and how they function in law and society — are not taught in higher education courses. Patrick is also calling for a review of the state’s policies on granting or revoking tenure for university professors at public institutions, which he expressed interest in during a February debate on critical race theory.
Interim charges generally include a list of tasks that evaluate current legislation but also serve as a blueprint for what lawmakers could consider when they reconvene in Austin. The 88th Texas Legislature will begin in early 2023.
In a charge entitled “Strengthening United States History Requirements,” Patrick instructs the committee to “Examine current course requirements for students in United States History, and ensure elements of Critical Race Theory are not currently included in course curriculum.” It also requests the committee “consider and recommend methods to ensure students receive accurate historical information related to the founding and establishment of the United States.”
{snip}
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
Got a tip? Email Julián Aguilar at jaguilar@kera.org.You can follow Julián on Twitter @nachoaguilar.
KERA | By Julián Aguilar
Published April 4, 2022 at 4:37 PM CDT
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s marching orders come after he threatened to revoke tenure for some professors at public universities who teach about critical race theory and its history.
After the Texas Legislature passed controversial legislation that limits what students K-12 are taught in the state’s public schools, the lieutenant governor has now tasked state senators with monitoring similar historical subject matter in higher education.
On a list of 84 interim charges released Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick included a directive for the Texas Senate’s Higher Education Committee to ensure that tenets of what’s known as critical race theory — generally described as an academic discipline that examines the roles of race and racism in American history and how they function in law and society — are not taught in higher education courses. Patrick is also calling for a review of the state’s policies on granting or revoking tenure for university professors at public institutions, which he expressed interest in during a February debate on critical race theory.
Interim charges generally include a list of tasks that evaluate current legislation but also serve as a blueprint for what lawmakers could consider when they reconvene in Austin. The 88th Texas Legislature will begin in early 2023.
In a charge entitled “Strengthening United States History Requirements,” Patrick instructs the committee to “Examine current course requirements for students in United States History, and ensure elements of Critical Race Theory are not currently included in course curriculum.” It also requests the committee “consider and recommend methods to ensure students receive accurate historical information related to the founding and establishment of the United States.”
{snip}
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
Got a tip? Email Julián Aguilar at jaguilar@kera.org.You can follow Julián on Twitter @nachoaguilar.