Oregon Association of Scholars sheds light on integration of Critical Race Theory by Department of Education

Oregon – In a series of posts on X the Oregon Association of Scholars highlighted a contract between the Oregon Department of Education and the company West Ed to develop a series of module based trainings for teachers in Oregon. The contract specifies some overarching principles for the coaching program. The first set of principles specifically states that “Critical equity analysis– including anti-racist, critical race theory, culturally responsive/ specific– is required through the process as coaches and Districts engage communities, determine priority activities, and spend funds.”

Contract between @ORDeptEd and @WestEd states that training developed will be based in Critical Theory, specifically Critical Race Theory #CRT. There is no question, it's intentionally been integrated in #Oregon's education system. The experiment in ideology over evidence must… pic.twitter.com/CuoP1k1hyd

— Oregon Association of Scholars (@OregonScholars) November 21, 2024

The OAS also addressed some of the components of the actual training that was developed for this contract. This includes a resource that teaches that special unearned privilege in the United States is granted to people in these groups: White, Male, Heterosexual, Non-disabled, Christian, College-educated, Middle or owning-class, Married, Middle-aged, English-speakers, and US Citizens. The training document also states that “race isn’t just about your origins; it’s a bout power, whether you perceive you have it or not.” It also teaches that those with more social power, presumably the groups identified as privileged are involved in systemically subordinating those in groups with less social power.

As @PapaBearMyers previously reported. The @ORDeptEd contracted with @WestEd in 2019 to develop training for #Oregon educators based on Critical Theory including this slide on privilege where being married or a US citizen is unearned dominant privilege. #Oregon #orpol #DEI #CRT… pic.twitter.com/IvtorhpvjR

— Oregon Association of Scholars (@OregonScholars) November 20, 2024

The positionality document in the @ORDeptEd and @WestEd training instructs #Oregon teachers to think about race as a power hierarchy with dominant groups subordinating others. It is not 1950. This is not a productive way of thinking to pass to children. #orpol #DEI #OregonEd… pic.twitter.com/xrwfIOGkoF

— Oregon Association of Scholars (@OregonScholars) November 21, 2024