September 27, 2022

FCPS’s proposed policy, designed to combat racism continues to focus heavily on the controversial use of “anti-racism” terminology and concepts, which unquestionably align with the concepts of CRT (see previous articles FCPS Is Integrating Equity and Anti-Racism Principles Despite Its Many Problems and How Is Being an Antiracist Different Than Being Against Racism?  for an explanation of how). The policy also uses language that aligns with policies currently in place in Montgomery County, which has seen CRT integrated into its school lessons and training through the use of similar “anti-racism” concepts.

As we’ve stated on multiple occasions we should all be pushing heavily to identify and combat racism and racist acts, but the concepts included in “anti-racism” are not the way to accomplish this.

To better understand the new policy and how it will impact our schools in Frederick County we met with Dr. Keith Harris, Executive Director of Accelerating Achievement and Equity and focused on four questions related to the policy.

Question:
Why is the policy focused only on white racism?

Our Point:
The definition of racism in the last published version of the policy states that racism “is a complex system of beliefs and behaviors grounded in the presumed superiority of the white race.”

We wanted to know why FCPS’s definition, focused on white, systemic racism only, is not taking the position that all racism, committed by any race against any race isn’t a more appropriate method of combatting racism and why it isn’t the focus of this policy.

We also pointed out that the Frederick County Public Schools Equity Office and Office of Mental Health & Psychological Services definition of racism used in the handbook Having Conversations and Ensuring the Social Emotional Wellbeing of Students and Staff still uses a similar focus on white racism only.

“Racism is a complex system of beliefs and behaviors, grounded in a presumed superiority of the white race” and “results in the oppression of people of color by the dominant group, whites.”

Our feeling is that this approach of defining racism focusing on only one race creates division and again, is closely aligned with CRT principles that define racism is a product of the white culture and structures, not the behaviors and beliefs of individual members of society.

Dr. Harris:
Dr. Harris indicated that the latest version of the policy includes the following definition of racism, which makes no specific mention of white culture or white racism but instead focuses on FCPS’s failure to address racism. (Note: the new policy proposal can be viewed here).

The failure of FCPS to provide a safe, inclusive, and appropriate education to students (or a workplace for staff) based on their color, culture, or ethnic origin. The failure can be intentional or unintentional and stem from animus or bias.

We’ve asked Dr. Harris for the basis of the conclusion that FCPS has failed to provide a safe and appropriate education to people of color, which seems premature, and we suggested the policy should be designed to prevent the failure in FCPS to provide a safe environment rather than state it has already failed. Our position is that incidents of racism or the presence of racism are not in and of themselves an indication of wholesale failure.

In response to the definition of racism in the FCPS handbook Dr. Harris commented that it is not a training document and isn’t actively used with teachers and staff as such. Still, we asked that the document be reviewed and updated since it still contains this definition, and subsequently asked Dr. Harris that the review be expanded to the entire document since, among other things, it defines white privilege as the “unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed solely on people because they are white”, and defines ethnicity and race as a “social construct” rather than a reality of human existence.

Why does the committee continue to push so heavily for the use of the term anti-racism when it is so closely aligned with CRT?

Our point:
We mentioned that FCPS’s Racial Equity Committee (REC) has discussed CRT in the past (it was presented in the REC committee of September 2021) where it was described as a “critique of the social construction of race and institutionalized racism that perpetuates a racial caste system that relegates people of color to the bottom tiers.” That presentation stated that CRT is not present in FCPS however CRT principles are included in anti-racism explanations and definitions of racism. Again, to see an explanation of how CRT and anti-racism share the same principles see related the articles on this website.

In its September 6, 2022 meeting the REC suggested that perhaps the policy could be passed without referencing the term anti-racism and it could be added in later, after approval. To us this seemed very disingenuous and almost deceitful. We asked why is this being considered and why is the committee so heavily focused on anti-racism?

Dr. Harris:
Dr. Harris agreed that this comment should not have been made and that the REC and Policy Committee do not have the authority to approve the proposed policy change. A policy change can only be made with BOE approval and adding the term later will not likely happen.

Dr. Harris reiterated that the REC and his office are not looking to integrate CRT into FCPS. We mentioned that the concepts of anti-racism should also not be included in the practices (training, classroom lessons, new policies, etc.) in the future since they are so closely aligned with CRT.

Will the results of the disparate outcome tracking, which will ultimately drive FCPS actions, equally consider economic, environmental, and behavioral causes as well as racism as potential causes?

Our point:
The policy contains 7 areas of racial disparities that it says must be used to facilitate “a systemic approach to ensuring an anti-racist environment” and “support a continuous improvement in fostering and anti-racism environment.” On multiple occasions we have asked FCPS to provide the specifics of how the root cause of the disparities will be determined. In response to our last request to consider things like economic disadvantages as a possible cause of disparate outcomes we received pushback from a member of the BOE that acts as a mentor to the REC, so we asked Dr. Harris. In addition we also asked why academic proficiency disparities was not one of the areas the committee recommended for review.

Dr. Harris:
Dr. Harris stated that the review of the disparities will consider all potential causes of disparities including the ones we mentioned. The new policy also mentions that the data from the disparity tracking will be posted online for public review.
Dr. Harris mentioned that academic disparities were not included as they are addressed elsewhere in the FCPS academic improvement programs such as tutoring and other targeted academic programs. He felt there is no need to address academic shortfalls again in a new policy. We expressed our concern that these programs are not funded properly to support all students in FCPS, which underscores the need to maintain maximum visibility on academics.
We suggested that academics be reported as well even though they are managed elsewhere.

What is contained in the new mandatory Equity-in-Action teacher and staff training and how can the public view what is in the training? Have outside firms been contracted to conduct the training and if so who are they?

Our point:
The FCPS reopening plan states that the 2022/23 school year will focus on “equity-in-action” and will “require teachers and staff to participate in a series of “professional learning modules throughout the year” and will engage in mandatory and optional “multiple learning opportunities” related to equity.
Because equity, anti-racism, and CRT training has been present in surrounding counties we asked how the public could view the training content and materials. We also asked who will be developing and conducting the training.

Dr. Harris:
Dr. Harris stated that the training will be using an “equity lens, * not a CRT lens” and that his office will develop the training materials and the training will be conducted with FCPS resources. When asked whether the public will have the opportunity to view the training content and materials Dr. Harris that this can be done by contacting his office.

• An equity lens is defined by FCPS as follows: “For any program, practice, decision, or action, the impact on all students is addressed, with strategic focus on marginalized students.”

Takeaways
Parents and residents should stay close to the developments of this policy and make sure the policy addresses the need to combat all forms and sources of racism in Frederick County and FCPS and avoid a singular focus on white racism. The policy should avoid the use of anti-racism terms and principles, which align with Critical Race Theory’s concepts. And the work necessary to eliminate racial disparities should include an examination of all potential causes so proper and effective programs can be put into place.