School admins in Nebraska 'rebranding' critical race theory to circumvent opposition, watchdog says

OMAHA, Neb. (TND) — Nonprofit watchdog Accuracy in Media (AIM) contends school administrators in Nebraska are changing curricular language to "rebrand" critical race theory in a state where there has been a strong push to prohibit such instruction.

"In our latest investigation, influential Nebraska school administrators admit to using terms like 'Social and Emotional Learning' as a trojan horse for Critical Race Theory," AIM President Adam Guillette contends.

AIM has conducted numerous undercover investigations across the country which have discovered school administrators unabashedly admitting to circumventing current, or potential state laws prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory and its tenets.

As a result of many of those investigations, parents have taken to their local school board meetings to demand answers.

AIM's investigation into Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Nebraska, appears to include much of the same efforts to circumvent opposition to critical race theory by changing the language used to describe it, but keeping the same basic principles.

"We will not allow a talking point stop us from doing what is right for kids,"Kelcy Tapp, Director of Teaching and Learning for Westside Community Schools, can be heard saying on undercover video in the context of a conversation about "social-emotional learning."

Tapp admitted on undercover video how "every time" the district adopts new curriculum and materials, "there's a strand" which "really look[s] at the diversity, equity and inclusion perspective to make sure that we are looking at that."

She went on to discuss a unit currently being piloted in the district with 8th graders encouraging them to be progressive "change agents," particularly when it comes to race.

AIM's previous investigations in numerous Ohio school districts found administrators even moving away from the term "social-emotional learning" and identifying it as "belonging" instead.

For example, in one Ohio district, AIM said it found administrators changed the name of their Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to its "Department of Belonging."

"When you talk to people about 'belonging for all,' they don't push back because what are you going to argue against 'belonging for all?'" Westside Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas told AIM on undercover video.

The state of Nebraska attempted to pass legislation banning Critical Race Theory on college campuses, but it was ultimately rejected bythe University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

However, a bill is currently making its way through the legislature to begin making learning materials for students available for the public to see. It would alsoprohibit teachers from telling students they are "inherently responsible" for past actions because they belong to a certain race.

When reached for comment West Side Community Schools contested the allegations made by AIM's investigation and insisted the video they published was "inaccurate, misleading, and was recorded under false pretenses."

"These meetings were much longer than the 8 minutes shown, and it is clear this video was edited out of context to push a particular agenda," the district's Director of Communications and EngagementBrandi Paul told The National Desk (TND) in a statement. "We as a district have been transparent and informative with our families and public about what Social Emotional Learning is, sending detailed curriculum to parents and our community, offering public forums for information and discussion, and encouraging all conversations with staff and families so they clearly understand what their children are learning in our schools."

The district told TND it has filed multiple reports with YouTube to remove the video and threatened legal action against AIM, "and all who re-air or republish this defamatory video."