Dupage Policy Journal

As Hinsdale 86 school district is under scrutiny for its pursuit of controversial Critical Race Theory in public schools the district is seeking stories of racism it plans to use to guide a new culture and equity leadership team.

Hinsdale 86 was recently called out by the Liberty Justice Center for "adopting equity statements and critical theory curriculum that is meant to impose radical and controversial beliefs on people."

“Recently, we witnessed the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and we grieved,” the district said in a notice posted online. “We watched police use brutal force against peaceful protestors, and we grieved. We heard student voices at our first D86 Culture and Equity Leadership Team (CELT) meeting stating that they do not ‘see themselves’ in our schools and do not always feel comfortable sharing their truths. We hear you. D86 CELT wants to hear your stories.”

Adding that all entries will remain anonymous, the post adds “leaning on the truths of students, staff, and the community, we will grow together. If you have a personal story about an experience with racial injustice, discrimination, or a time when something just didn't feel right, please share it here. In contrast, if you have a story that embraced and celebrated your race and your individuality, you may also share that.”

The outreach comes as Chicago-based Thomas More Society is planning to challenge what it views as vague and progressive new teaching standards on the verge of being approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

In particular, Thomas More charges language in the “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards” is loaded with potential constitutional violations and violations of conscience.

The Thomas More Society is now working with pro-family groups against the new standards, the group adds “mandating acceptance and endorsement of values that may be inconsistent with one’s own deeply held religious beliefs is unnecessary and unconstitutional.”

ISBE spokeswoman Jackie Matthews, told Prairie State Wire it stands by the proposed changes.

“The reality is that Illinois’ students are increasingly diverse – with more than 52% identifying as students of color, and English learners making up the fastest-growing student population – while our teachers remain overwhelmingly white and female,” Matthews wrote in an email. “The ability to reach students from different cultural backgrounds is an essential skill to succeed as a teacher in Illinois today.”