Virginia education department reportedly told schools to ’embrace critical race theory’ in 2015

Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) reportedly oversaw the Virginia Department of Education in 2015 when it encouraged using CRT, according to a slideshow that surfaced this week.

The slideshow, unearthed by investigative reporter Christopher Rufo, is titled “Legal Implications of School Discipline: Street ‘CRED’ (Culturally Responsive and Equitable Discipline)” and features multiple mentions of CRT. One slide, describing “culturally-responsive alternatives to suspension” to educators, notes to “incorporate Critical Race Theory lens,” while another slide cites professor Geneva Gay with the quote “CRT makes learning more appropriate and effective for students.” A third slide advises to “embrace Critical Race Theory” and “engage in race-conscious teaching and learning.”

“Let’s just be clear. We don’t teach Critical Race Theory. This is a made up, this is a Trump-Betsy DeVos-Glenn Youngkin plan to divide people, and it really bothers me,” McAuliffe said Sunday on CNN, referring to his opponent, Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin. On Tuesday, McAuliffe doubled down on his stance, saying during an appearance on MSNBC that Youngkin “talks about Critical Race Theory.

He talks about having these parents’ meetings on Critical Race Theory. It really bothers because it is a racist dog whistle. We don’t teach Critical Race Theory here in Virginia.” In June, McAuliffe dismissed CRT as a “right-wing conspiracy” and called it “totally made up by Donald Trump and Glenn Youngkin.