CRT Act

To prohibit the award of Federal funds to schools that promote certain race-based theories to students, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Racist Teaching in Schools Act CRT Act 2. Prohibition on award of Federal funds to certain schools (a) Prohibition on award of funds to certain elementary and secondary schools No Federal funds received by a State or local educational agency may be allocated to an elementary or secondary school that promotes the race-based theories described in subsection (c) or compels teachers or students to affirm, adhere to, adopt, or process beliefs in a manner that violates title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (b) Prohibition on award of funds to certain institutions of higher education No Federal funds may be awarded to an institution of higher education if such institution promotes the race-based theories described in subsection (c) or compels teachers or students to affirm, adhere to, adopt, or process beliefs in a manner that violates title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (c) Race-Based theories described The race-based theories described in this subsection are the following: (1) Any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race, color, or national origin. (2) The United States is a fundamentally racist country. (3) The Declaration of Independence or Constitution of the United States are fundamentally racist documents. (4) An individual’s moral character or worth is determined by the individual’s race, color, or national origin. (5) An individual, by virtue of the individual’s race, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. (6) An individual, because of the individual’s race, bears responsibility for the actions committed by other members of the individual’s race, color, or national origin. (d) Rules of construction (1) Protected speech not restricted Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the speech of a student, teacher, or any other individual outside of a school setting. (2) Access to materials for the purpose of research or independent study Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an individual from accessing materials that advocate theories described in subsection (c) for the purpose of research or independent study. (3) Contextual education Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a covered school from stating theories described in subsection (c) or assigning materials that advocate such theories for educational purposes in contexts that make it clear the school does not sponsor, approve, or endorse such theories or materials. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered school The term covered school (2) ESEA Terms The terms elementary school local educational agency secondary school State 20 U.S.C. 7801 (3) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1002 (4) Promote The term promote (A) to include such theories or materials that advocate such theories in curricula, reading lists, seminars, workshops, trainings, or other educational or professional settings in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement; (B) to contract with, hire, or otherwise engage speakers, consultants, diversity trainers, and other persons for the purpose of advocating such theories; (C) to compel students to profess a belief in such theories; or (D) to segregate students or other individuals by race in any setting, including in educational or training sessions.

Summary: Combating Racist Teaching in Schools Act or the CRT Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being awarded to elementary or secondary schools or institutions of higher education that promote certain race-based theories or compel teachers or students to affirm belief in such theories in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national origin.