Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A bill that would restrict mandatory bias training for teachers passed the State Senate Education Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 0102 (SB0102), sponsored by Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10), would prohibit public schools, public charter schools, and public institutions of higher learning from forcing teachers to participate in implicit bias training.
The bill defines “implicit bias training” as “a training or other educational program designed to expose an individual to biases that the training’s or educational program’s developer or designer presumes the individual to unconsciously, subconsciously, or unintentionally possess that predispose the individual to be unfairly prejudiced in favor of or against a thing, person, or group to adjust the individual’s patterns of thinking in order to eliminate the individual’s unconscious bias or prejudice.”
Gardenhire explained the bill’s intent and noted that it would require that Local Education Agencies not impose such training as a requirement for hiring or take any sort of adverse action if an employee fails to or refuses to participate in the training.
Additionally, he noted that the state Board of Education could not make implicit bias training a requirement for teacher licensure or professional development.
Gardenhire said, “I resent the implication that I have a bias on something, and I wouldn’t want to be forced to take this training if I didn’t think it applied to me…so that’s what brought this bill along.”
The floor was opened for questions from committee members.
Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) disagreed with the intent of the bill, saying, “Implicit bias has nothing to do with race, it has nothing to do with gender, it has nothing to do with sexual orientation. It is something that applies to everyone. They are deeply held beliefs we have based on our upbringing.”
Akbari continued, “It’s something that gives the schools systems resources they feel they need to make sure that teachers and administrators are better equipped. I do not support this legislation.”
Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) followed, noting that forced bias training is seen much more frequently at a higher education level and is often masked as “diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
“I think people should be treated equally…and should not assume that people have bias for any reason. So, I think this is a good piece of legislation.”
With no further questions, a vote was taken. The bill passed with all senators voting in favor of the legislation, with the exception of Akbari who voted against and Senator Haile who was not present for voting.
The bill will now be referred to the calendar of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
