Tennessee Department of Education rejects complaint filed under anti-critical race theory law

Meghan Mangrum, Nashville Tennessean
·3 min read

The Tennessee Department of Education recently declined to investigate a complaint filed under a new state law prohibiting the teaching of certain topics regarding race and bias.

The complaint, the first directed to the state under the new law passed this spring, was filed by Robin Steenman, chair of the Moms for Liberty Williamson County chapter, a conservative parent group sweeping the nation.

The 11-page complaint alleged that the literacy curriculum, Wit and Wisdom, used by Williamson County Schools and at least 30 other districts, has a “heavily biased agenda” that makes children “hate their country, each other and/or themselves.”

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The group detailed concerns with four specific books on subjects like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, the integration of California schools by advocate Sylvia Mendez and her family, and the autobiography of Ruby Bridges, adapted for younger learners.

Robin Steenman, chair of the Williamson County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national conservative parent advocacy group, as seen at the event, "Let's Talk Wit & Wisdom," put on by the newly-formed chapter in June 2021.
Robin Steenman, chair of the Williamson County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national conservative parent advocacy group, as seen at the event, "Let's Talk Wit & Wisdom," put on by the newly-formed chapter in June 2021.

“The classroom books and teacher manuals reveal both explicit and implicit Anti-American, Anti-White, and Anti-Mexican teaching,” the complaint alleged. “The relentless nature of how these divisive stories are taught, the lack of historical context and difference in perspective, and the manipulative pedagogy all work together to amplify and sow feelings of resentment, shame of one’s skin color, and/or fear.”

Though the new law prohibits 14 concepts such as the idea that one race bears responsibility for past actions against another or that the United States is fundamentally racist, the department declined to investigate the allegations because the lessons occurred during the 2020-21 school year, according to a letter obtained by The Tennessean.

The department is only authorized to investigate allegations that have occurred during the 2021‐ 2022 school year and subsequent school years, according to the letter sent to Steenman by Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn on Nov. 23.

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The complaint, filed in July, also came more than 45 days after the alleged incident — outside the timeframe outlined in the new rule adopted by the department this month — and doesn't follow the outlined process, which defines the department's role as an appellate one.

"Please note that in declining to investigate these claims, the department has not made a determination regarding the merits of these allegations. We encourage you to work with the Williamson County School District to resolve the issues and concerns related to your complaint and ensure compliance with state law," the letter said.

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn as seen during a news conference with Gov. Bill Lee at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, on Sept. 2, 2021.
Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn as seen during a news conference with Gov. Bill Lee at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, on Sept. 2, 2021.

Steenman and her group filed the grievance before the state had adopted a process for enforcing the rule.

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The curriculum, Wit and Wisdom, is still used in Williamson County Schools as well as in neighboring Metro Nashville Public Schools and Sumner County, but a Williamson County committee has been reviewing the curriculum and other content flagged by parents.

A spokesman for Great Minds, the company that produces Wit and Wisdom, told the Tennessean in July the curriculum does not include any of the concepts banned in the legislation.

Whether Moms for Liberty will file another complaint following the release of the committee's findings or refile a grievance with the state department citing incidents occurring this school year is unknown.

The Tennessean has not been able to reach Steenman for comment.

Since the department enacted its new emergency rule on Nov. 8, it has not received any appeals as of Nov. 22, district spokesperson Victoria Robinson told The Tennessean.

The Williamson County school board is expected to discuss the results of its own curriculum review sometime in December.

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Meghan Mangrum covers education for the USA TODAY Network — Tennessee. Contact her at mmangrum@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee rejects complaint filed under anti-critical race theory law