Indiana House passes controversial “diversity and multicultural” teacher training bill

The American Family Association of Indiana reports that on February 25th, the Indiana House of Representatives “passed a controversial “cultural competency” bill by a narrow, one-vote margin, with the Democratic Speaker of the House casting the 51st vote necessary to pass the legislation.” The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

According to its synopsis, HB 1187 would “require the department of education to develop standards for cultural competency teacher training [and] require school corporations to develop policies concerning cultural competency training for school staff and students.”

AFAI observes: ”. . . many parents and policy leaders understand that forced ‘diversity training’ often means the indoctrination of an ultra-liberal political agenda designed to reshape children’s views on controversial moral issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage.”

The AFAI points especially to three sections:

Sec. 2 (C) A teacher licensed under IC 20-28-5 shall participate in diversity and multicultural training throughout the year. (Page 2 Lines 23-26)

Sec. 3 (a) Each school corporation shall provide diversity and multicultural training to members of the school community, including school staff and students. (Page 3 Lines 27-29)

HB 1187 requires the School Superintendent to establish policies and procedures that measure the “progress toward improving the cultural competency of the school’s teachers, administrators, staff, [and] students.” (Page 3 Lines 30-37)