Arntzen Responds to Attorney General Opinion on Critical Race Theory

• May 27 2021

“Discrimination cannot happen in Montana classrooms; not on my watch,” Arntzen declares after AG Opinion distinguishes between instruction and discrimination

HELENA – Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen issued the following statement after the release of the Attorney General Opinion she requested on the teaching of Critical Race Theory and similar teachings in Montana schools:

“This Attorney General Opinion makes clear what I and parents across Montana were concerned about – certain exercises and lessons based on Critical Race Theory and similar ideologically driven teaching have the potential to discriminate against our Montana students’ civil rights.  It is a very reasoned and thoughtful document that reinforces appropriate guardrails on how our schools can easily avoid crossing the line from instruction to discrimination. 

As the head teacher in our state, I lead a workforce of nearly 11,000 dedicated, licensed educators who care deeply about putting our Montana children first.  This opinion will help ensure that outside philosophies do not detract from the professionalism they bring to the schoolhouse doors every day.  It strongly aligns with our new Montana social studies standards, and also fully and unapologetically recognizes the first amendment protections that we hold dear in Montana. 

I am completely supportive of students learning multiple viewpoints of our history to encourage critical thinking.  We do not, and should not, shy away from teaching about complex and difficult episodes in our state’s and nation’s history.  In addition, our teachers proudly embrace our robust Indian Education for All, our Montana Constitution’s unique promise which highlights the authentic voice of our first Montanans and which I have amplified throughout all grade levels as part of our revised state standards.

But Critical Race Theory, as we have seen it applied in countless examples across the country, is not critical thinking.  It distorts our shared history and too often is used to demean and belittle students based on the color of their skin through segregation, stereotyping, and scapegoating.  Discrimination cannot happen in Montana classrooms; not on my watch.  I thank Attorney General Knudsen and his staff for their diligent and thorough review of this subject.”

Arntzen recently submitted comments in response to the Biden Administration’s attempt to financially incentivize the teaching of Critical Race Theory and similar ideologies.  She previously authored a Medium post expressing her concerns on the matter.

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Contact:

Chris Averill, Communications Director, 406-444-3449