Photo by Nora Carol via Getty Images
Opponents spoke out against the ban bill diversity and inclusion efforts in Ohio’s K-12 public schools – specifically criticizing the bill’s lack of a definition of DEI.
Recently, about 80 people gave opposing testimony Ohio Senate Bill 113, which would require every local board of education in the state to adopt a policy that would eliminate any current diversity and inclusion office or department and prohibit any diversity, equity and inclusion-focused education or training.
“This bill is frustratingly unclear when it comes to what qualifies and does not qualify as prohibited diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives,” Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper said during last week’s meeting of the Ohio Senate Education Committee.
ACLU of Ohio Legislative Director Gary Daniels also noted the lack of a DEI definition in the bill.
“When school administrators, school staff, parents, stakeholders and state governments define for themselves (and others) what ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ is, then everything is diversity, equity and inclusion and subject to prohibition,” he said.
State Sen. Andrew Brenner, D-Delaware, introduced a bill last year that would also prevent the creation of novel such offices or departments and the exploit of DEI in job descriptions. Brenner recently lost the GOP primary, meaning next year’s General Assembly will be the first without him since 2011.
Last year, fewer than 10 people testified on the bill.
“SB 113 would apparently ban efforts to recruit and retain more Black teachers, even though data shows it objectively benefits students when school districts seek to hire a diverse teaching staff,” Cropper said.
Black students who have one black teacher in their elementary school are 13% more likely to enroll in college and those who have two black teachers are 32% more likely to – according to a study published in 2018 by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
“(DEI) is not saying that we are hiring a less qualified or less qualified person because of the color of their skin or their gender,” Cropper said. “That means making sure we open up opportunities to diverse populations by considering all the people who apply for the position.”
According to the study, schools with DEI initiatives reported 30% fewer incidents of homophobic remarks, and LGBTQ students were 25% less likely to develop depression and anxiety in schools promoting social inclusion. GLSEN’s 2021 National School Climate Survey.
“DEI efforts are not about lowering standards, but about removing barriers so that standards can be met fairly,” said Joshua Meek, Ohio Statewide Equality Advocacy Manager.
Heather Fairs, with the Ohio School Counselor Association, said the bill would make it more tough for schools to support the academic, social and emotional development of every student.
“Limiting discussions, programs, or training related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, or culturally sensitive supports may unintentionally limit a school counselor’s ability to identify barriers to student success and provide appropriate interventions,” she said.
Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said he had not had a chance to review the bill.
“Over the last few years, some teachers have been taught at universities that these particular concepts should be promoted as a fundamental part of education, even to very young children,” he said. “I think most parents and most of society think it’s ridiculous that you would talk to a second or third grader about this.”
Ohio State Rep. Phil Robinson, D-Solon, said he has never heard of parents, teachers or administrators coming to testify against DEI in K-12 schools.
“They come to talk about how we need more funding to be able to pay our teachers,” he said. “We need more resources for our textbooks and things like that. We don’t have to chase culture wars and salacious headlines.”
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