The Wyoming Senate has given final approval to a bill that puts limitations on teaching Critical Race Theory in schools. Opponents of Senate File 103 said it’s trying to dictate what teachers can teach.
Lander Sen. Cale Case urged the Senate to trust the education system and the students.
“I kind of like watching minds grow. Evaluating for themselves different things, experimenting, being open-minded, challenging our beliefs sometimes,” said Case.
He also urged senators to trust how students are being taught and to avoid dictating how to teach history.
Casper Sen. Charles Scott said the responsibility of “what is taught in schools rests here.”
The Senate adopted an amendment by Sheridan Sen. Bo Biteman that laid out a list of things that should be part of what kids learn. Laramie Sen. Chris Rothfuss said the Senate should not legislate what teachers should teach. Biteman said the principals in the amendment were far from out of line.
“The fact that this language, the fact that no one is inherently racist, no race is inherently superior to another race, the fact that that’s controversial in this body tells you we need this bill,” said Biteman. “That things are changing and not for the better.”
The bill now goes to the House for further consideration.