TESD Target Of Open Records Demand Over Teacher Training Info

TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is the target of a conservative legal nonprofit that accuses the district of keeping secret its development of critical race theory curriculum, even as the School District points to where it displays the information.

America First Legal (AFL), a nonprofit that bills itself as a conservative counterpart to the American Civil Liberties Union, has filed an open records request with the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District asking for records, documents, and communications relating to the development and implementation of critical race theory curriculum between the Pacific Education Group and the School District.

America First Legal is headed by former Trump Advisor Stephen Miller and was launched in April with the stated intention of "combating the left's radical and lawless agenda."

The open records request to the school board, the AFL said in a statement on Wednesday, is for the purpose of allowing parents to "access and review curriculum being taught to their children," which the group claims TESD has denied parents.

"Despite repeated requests from parents and concerned citizens, the school district, in violation of both state and federal law, has refused to disclose the extent of its relationship with Pacific Education Group — a radical organization pushing Critical Race Theory on our children — or the curriculum itself," the America First Legal statement said.

But Tredyffrin/Easttown School District pointed out it has made documents public explaining how parents may view their child's curriculum and explaining the Pacific Education Group's training. "Parents may request to see the curriculum by contacting their child’s teacher or building principal," said Chris Connolly, TESD Communications Specialist.

The District also issued a statement giving an "update on racial equity advancement," in which it defines critical race theory, gives a link to the District's Equity Policy Initiative page and provides a link to a summary of the PEG training approach. The Pacific Education Group teaches a process called "Courageous Conversation," with a stated goal, "to discuss race explicitly in a manner that is intentional, compassionate, and sustainable."

TESD District Superintendent Dr. Richard Gusick has read the TESD Equity Policy in public meetings. The June 14 meeting of the school board was packed and comments were contentious as some parents insisted Critical Race Theory should not be taught in TESD schools, while others praised the district's equity initiatives.

Gusick told the gathering that night, "Locally we must all be willing, myself included, to look with a critical eye how racial differences play out in our schools." Read that story here. Recordings of the June 14 meeting can be accessed here.

Tredyffrin/Easttown District is one of many across the nation seeing opposition from parents who insist critical race theory is teaching a form of racism that is damaging to white children. America First Legal said critical race theory is being "weaponized" against these children.

A meeting this week of the Downingtown Area School District was also attended by some who brought contentions similar to those put forth by America First Legal, that critical race theory being taught in the district is "indoctrination" of children.

State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (D-155th) responded after the June 15 DASD meeting, "There is so much at stake for our kids and community on a regular basis in these meetings, it's daunting to think that in the year 2021 what still drives people out in capacity-breaking numbers are conversations about race. Conversations about race are incredibly important and we should never shy away from them. And, diversity, equity, and inclusion work is about so much more than race, and to ignore that is to erase the experiences of so many of our students, including neurotypical students, LGBTQ+ students, students living with disabilities, female students, students living in poverty, and so many more."

The next meeting of the TESD School Board is Aug. 23 at Conestoga High School gym. The in-person meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

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