In the last six years, American states have enacted a plethora of education laws and policies aimed at reshaping how K-12 schools and colleges address issues of race, sex, and gender.
These measures vary widely based on the political leanings of each state, with the majority of the nation's school-aged students now being educated under either more inclusive teaching requirements or significant limitations on such lessons.
Since 2017, 38 states have adopted 114 laws, rules, or orders pertaining to these issues.
Approximately two-thirds of these policies restrict lessons and discussions on sensitive topics, while the remaining third require or expand them.
For example, a 2023 Kentucky law prohibits lessons on human sexuality before fifth grade and prohibits instruction on gender identity.
In contrast, a 2021 Rhode Island law mandates that all students learn "African Heritage and History" before high school graduation.
The majority of these laws apply to K-12 schools, where states have more authority over curriculums, while laws targeting higher education focus on programs like student or faculty trainings.
The divide in these policies is largely partisan, with nearly 90% of restrictive laws and policies enacted in states that voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election, and about 80% of expansive laws and policies enacted in states that voted for Joe Biden.
This surge in legislation regulating school curriculums is unprecedented in U.S. history, both in terms of volume and scope.
Some argue that these laws are necessary to counter what they see as a left-wing takeover of education, while others believe they promote inclusivity and tolerance.
The impact of these laws on actual curriculum changes remains uncertain, as some schools and teachers may resist altering their teaching methods.
Overall, these laws reflect significant disagreements about the fundamental values and history of America, with children's education on these matters often depending on the state in which they live.
The controversy surrounding these laws underscores the ongoing debate over the role of education in shaping societal values and identities.