State School Board representative testifies in support of ban on critical race theory in schools

A local state school board representative testified in support of legislation to ban critical race theory in Ohio schools. Kirsten Hill, of Amherst, represents District 2, which includes Lorain County schools. During a lengthy Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee session Thursday, she testified in support of House Bill 322. The bill, introduced by state Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, would ban critical race theory and action civics from the K-12 curriculum. Its testimony was paired with that of House Bill 327. Introduced by state Reps. Diane Grendell, R-Chesterland, and Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Geneva-on-the-Lake, HB 327 prohibits teaching "divisive concepts" in public schools. Critical race theory, developed by scholars in the 1970s and 1980s, is a way to think about America's history through the lens of racism, including examining systemic racism in the county's institutions. Hill's testimony provided definitions for equity, culturally responsive teaching and anti-racism, information she later told state Rep. Michael Skindell, D-Lakewood, had received from former State School Board member Lisa Woods. Woods also testified in defense of the bills. "Equity is not the same as equality," Hill said. "Equality means treating students the same, regardless of race. Equality is now considered racist, because students from racial groups that are considered historically oppressed should be treated better than students from other groups. She added, "I foresee that if students are treated differently in Ohio schools based on their membership in a historically privileged or oppressed racial group, we're going to create problems, not solve problems." The Ohio Department of Education defines equity in education on its website as "each child has access to relevant and challenging academic experiences and educational resources necessary for success across race, gender, ethnicity, language, disability, family background and/or income." Hill went on to define culturally responsive teaching as "a pedagogy that emphasizes including students' cultural references in all curriculum." The Ohio Department of Education offered two virtual training sessions for culturally responsive teaching earlier this month. The Ohio Principal Evaluation System includes cultural responsiveness in its guidelines for an accomplished principal. "My interpretation of this is that accomplished principals, thus principals aiming to elevate their career path, will be taking negative action against a teacher who does not treat students differently depending on the student's level of privilege or teach in a culturally responsive manner," Hill said. She also had concerns with the term anti-racist, as a quote from Ibram Kendi's book "How to be an Antiracist" states one cannot be anti-racist without being "anti-capitalist." Hill said eliminating capitalism would eliminate property rights, and by extension, trade. "We need unity, not division created by the social justice movement under the umbrella of critical race theory to deliver quality education," she said. State Rep. Brigid Kelly, D-Cincinnati, questioned if Hill thought diversity, equity and inclusion training for teachers would help them serve students from various backgrounds, races and sexual orientations. Hill said there needs to be a conversation about what education is and what its focus should be. Referencing her vote against a resolution last July to condemn racism and advance equity in Ohio schools, Hill said she's "learned a lot more than what I knew then." She said education should focus on topics like math, biology and reading rather than "personalities." Hill was one of dozens to testify in support of both bills during the roughly four-hour session Thursday. She was joined by fellow School Board member Jenny Shafer Kilgore, District 4. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.