Pennsylvania Rescinds ‘Woke’ Curriculum Standards After Legal Settlement

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) officially rescinded its “Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education Program Framework Guidelines” (CR-SE) following a lawsuit settlement on Friday, November 22nd. The guidelines, implemented in 2022, faced criticism for mandating educators to promote ideological views on systemic biases and social power structures. The lawsuit, filed by the Thomas More Society in April 2023, argued the requirements violated First Amendment rights.

The CR-SE framework required teachers to address topics such as microaggressions, unconscious biases, and institutional inequities. It also mandated that educators engage in critical discussions about economic and political power systems. Critics contended that these mandates infringed on teachers’ freedoms by compelling them to adopt and impose ideological beliefs on their students.

As part of the settlement, PDE agreed to withdraw the guidelines across all public schools, charter schools, and educational entities statewide. Thomas Breth, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, called the agreement a victory for parents and educators, stating, “This settlement prevents the imposition of ideological activism in Pennsylvania’s schools and ensures educational standards focus on teaching students how to think, not what to believe.”

In response, PDE announced a new optional framework called the “Common Ground Framework.” This replacement emphasizes digital literacy, mental health awareness, and trauma-informed education while removing mandatory ideological components. PDE Press Secretary Erin James noted, “The updated framework addresses real challenges in education, providing a more balanced approach without enforcing compliance.”

The lawsuit underscores the growing national debate over educational content and the balance between fostering inclusivity and protecting individual freedoms. Supporters of the guidelines argued they promoted equity, while opponents viewed them as an overreach into political and social ideologies. The settlement marks a shift towards localized decision-making in Pennsylvania’s education system.

This legal resolution sets a significant precedent for education policies nationwide, highlighting the challenges of implementing culturally responsive curricula in a politically divided environment. As schools adopt the new framework, Pennsylvania educators and parents have greater autonomy in shaping educational practices that reflect their communities’ values.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) officially rescinded its “Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education Program Framework Guidelines” (CR-SE) following a lawsuit settlement on Friday, November 22nd. The guidelines, implemented in 2022, faced criticism for mandating educators to promote ideological views on systemic biases and social power structures. The lawsuit, filed by the Thomas More Society in April 2023, argued the requirements violated First Amendment rights.

The CR-SE framework required teachers to address topics such as microaggressions, unconscious biases, and institutional inequities. It also mandated that educators engage in critical discussions about economic and political power systems. Critics contended that these mandates infringed on teachers’ freedoms by compelling them to adopt and impose ideological beliefs on their students.

As part of the settlement, PDE agreed to withdraw the guidelines across all public schools, charter schools, and educational entities statewide. Thomas Breth, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, called the agreement a victory for parents and educators, stating, “This settlement prevents the imposition of ideological activism in Pennsylvania’s schools and ensures educational standards focus on teaching students how to think, not what to believe.”

In response, PDE announced a new optional framework called the “Common Ground Framework.” This replacement emphasizes digital literacy, mental health awareness, and trauma-informed education while removing mandatory ideological components. PDE Press Secretary Erin James noted, “The updated framework addresses real challenges in education, providing a more balanced approach without enforcing compliance.”

The lawsuit underscores the growing national debate over educational content and the balance between fostering inclusivity and protecting individual freedoms. Supporters of the guidelines argued they promoted equity, while opponents viewed them as an overreach into political and social ideologies. The settlement marks a shift towards localized decision-making in Pennsylvania’s education system.

 This legal resolution sets a significant precedent for education policies nationwide, highlighting the challenges of implementing culturally responsive curricula in a politically divided environment. As schools adopt the new framework, Pennsylvania educators and parents have greater autonomy in shaping educational practices that reflect their communities’ values.