Politics

NC Senate passes bill outlawing DEI programs in schools

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 11, 2025

The North Carolina Senate on Tuesday adopted a bill that outlaws DEI programs in public schools and sent it on to the House for a vote.

“Our schools should not be in the business of teaching inaccurate history or creating a learning environment that doesn’t allow for free thought or expression,” Senate Leader Phil Berger said. “So-called ‘DEI’ initiatives were pitched as a tool to help our children better understand our history, when in reality they’re merely a façade used by Democrats to alter curriculum to fit their agenda.”

Titled “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Education,” the bill bars "promoting discriminatory policies and practices in public schools," Berger's office said in a news release.

The bill seeks to remove divisive concepts and discriminatory practices from public education, including prohibiting instruction on those topics, compelling students or staff to profess a belief in divisive topics, and ensuring that professional development doesn’t include those topics. The bill does not prevent schools from teaching history, so long as the instruction is impartial, the news release said.

The proposed law defines 12 specific divisive concepts, including the concepts that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; an individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive; an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex; and an individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex.

“Our children are the ones disadvantaged when DEI policies take precedent over academic excellence,” said Sen. Michael Lee, Republican from New Hanover County. “Instead of spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary DEI trainings, school districts should put those funds toward student needs.”

“As a parent, I want all children to get the fair and equal treatment they deserve when it comes time for their education,” said Sen. Brad Overcash, R-Gaston County. “No one should be overlooked or denied simply because of characteristics outside of their control. This bill will help schools get back to the basics and support all of our students.”