Legal Resolution Reached On Education Framework In Pennsylvania Schools

Classroom with wooden desks and empty green chalkboard.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Education reverses course on controversial education framework after legal challenge.

At a Glance

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) settles lawsuit over “Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education Program Framework” (CR-SE)
CR-SE guidelines required teachers to address societal power structures and harmful practices
Thomas More Society sued PDE, claiming First Amendment violations
PDE agrees to rescind CR-SE guidelines, introduces voluntary “Common Ground Framework”
New framework focuses on digital literacy, mental health, and inclusivity

Legal Challenge Forces Reversal of Controversial Education Guidelines

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has agreed to cancel its requirement for schools to enforce the “Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education Program Framework Guidelines” (CR-SE) following a lawsuit settlement. This decision marks a significant shift in the state’s approach to education policy, prompted by legal action from the Thomas More Society.

The CR-SE guidelines, introduced in November 2022, mandated that educators design learning experiences that question power structures and disrupt harmful practices. These requirements quickly became a point of contention, with critics arguing that they infringed upon First Amendment rights and imposed ideological beliefs on students and teachers alike.

Settlement Details and New Framework

As part of the settlement reached in November 2023, the PDE agreed to rescind the CR-SE guidelines entirely. In their place, the department has introduced the “Common Ground Framework,” a set of voluntary guidelines that shift focus towards enhancing students’ digital literacy, supporting mental health initiatives, and improving the inclusivity of marginalized student groups within educational environments.

“We are incredibly pleased with this settlement agreement, which forces the Pennsylvania Department of Education to rescind the state’s ‘Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education’ guidelines – securing an important victory for Pennsylvania parents, students, and teachers” said Thomas Breth, Thomas More Society Special Counsel.

The settlement also requires the Department of Education to notify schools that they are not legally obligated to implement the previous guidelines. This move effectively dismantles the mandatory nature of the CR-SE framework, allowing schools more flexibility in their approach to cultural education.

Reactions and Implications

The Thomas More Society, which spearheaded the legal challenge, hailed the settlement as a triumph against what they termed “woke” activism in school curricula. Peter Breen, Executive Vice President of the Thomas More Society, emphasized the importance of teaching students how to think rather than what to believe.

“Educational standards should help students learn how to think, not what they must believe. This victory against Pennsylvania’s ‘woke’ curriculum mandate restores that opportunity for Pennsylvania families and teachers. Pennsylvania’s CR-SE curriculum guidelines commanded to students what they must believe and unconstitutionally compelled teachers to pledge loyalty to an ideological program.” stated Peter Breen, Thomas More Society Executive Vice President & Head of Litigation.

On the other hand, proponents of the original guidelines argue that they were designed to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments. The Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium remains committed to preparing teachers to educate diverse student bodies, despite the changes in state-level guidance.

Looking Ahead

While the settlement marks a significant change in Pennsylvania’s education policy, it’s important to note that the new “Common Ground Framework” still encourages understanding differences in marginalized and historically underrepresented groups. Teachers are still encouraged to create equitable learning environments by challenging stereotypes and biases, albeit without the mandatory requirements of the previous guidelines.

As Pennsylvania navigates this shift in education policy, the debate over how best to address cultural diversity and equity in schools continues. The settlement does not affect colleges and universities, nor does it prevent individual school districts from adopting elements of the former guidelines if they choose to do so. The coming months will likely reveal how these changes impact classroom instruction and teacher preparation across the state.