Ed Trust Tennessee > Tennessee Coalition for Truth in Classrooms
A Resource Guide for Students, Educators, and Community Advocates
The Tennessee Coalition for Truth in Our Classrooms is a group of students, education advocates and community organization leaders who believe in promoting the teaching of truthful history in our schools, and honoring and valuing the diversity of our students, staff and institutions.
Our coalition believes schools must be an inclusive, safe, nurturing environment so that children can learn to address some of the world’s most complex issues. To do so, schools must teach a diverse and challenging curriculum, and students need to engage with materials that reflect the rich history of all students and our world. Schools have a responsibility to provide students with thorough, truthful, and fact-based history as a means of addressing misinformation and avoiding mistakes of the past.
Our coalition has been tracking the dangerous anti-truth, censorship bills, news, and ongoing conversations evolving since the passage of Public Chapter 493 last year. The development of false narratives and attacks on diversity, equity & inclusion efforts are causing disruptions in our schools, hindering students’ learning and negatively impacting teachers’ mental, social-emotional well-being as they are threatened with punitive actions.
To support our students, teachers, and community advocates with understanding and navigating the complexities of how the anti-truth and censorship movement is impacting Tennessee, we have created a hub of resources. Our hope is to spread awareness on this issue, protect full and honest instruction in our classrooms, and empower our students and teachers with factual information, helpful toolkits, and tangible guides to take action.
Action Toolkits
Download a toolkit from Learn from History that’s right for you to help ensure that your schools continue teaching fact-based history.
LEARN FROM HISTORY
Messaging Guides
Review evidence-informed guides on how to frame your advocacy language on common concerns, questions, and topics you might encounter in current education debates.
Changing the Narrative
- Social Toolkit
- Hot Topic Talking Points
- Family & Friends Messaging
- Core Messages
- Glossary
- Toolkit for Local Advocates: Teaching Diverse & Inclusive Materials & Defending DEI
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL)
40 Race Forward
Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA)
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE)
We Make the Future
GLSEN
Anti-Truth, Censorship Bill Movement
Learn about how to take action on current bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly, and track the equity implications for bills moving across the country.
Tennessee Advocacy
- TN Youth Coalition Testimony in Opposition to SB1944/HB1944
- Current Law: Public Chapter 493 & TDOE Rules
Across the Country
Know Your Rights
Review FAQs on critical race theory consolidated by the ACLU-TN.
Educator & Student Resource
CRT in the News
Review recent media highlights on anti-truth, censorship issues in Tennessee and across the country.
Research, Podcasts & Publications
- Education Trust: Teaching Honest History
- Education Trust Podcast: Ed Trusted
- Education Trust: Anti-CRT Laws Ban Them: Now What?
- Stand for Children Teacher’s Report Survey
Tennessee
- Chalkbeat: How the ‘age-appropriate’ debate is altering curriculum in Tennessee and nationwide
- Tennessee Lookout: Conservative report effects higher education anti-diversity bill
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis student action (TN Youth Coalition) Press Rally on HB1944 & HB0800
- 2022 could break anti-LGBTQ legislation records
Across the Country
- Chalkbeat: On race and schools, here’s what Americans agree and disagree on
- AP & NORC Poll: No Public Consensus on Discussing Race & Gender
- American Library Association: Large Majorities of Voters Oppose Book Banks
- NYT: Who’s Unhappy With Schools: The Answer Surprised Me.
- CBS: The Trials of Critical Race Theory
- NYT: What Americans Really Think of CRT
- How Indiana’s anti-CRT bill failed even with a GOP supermajority
Events
Register now for virtual opportunities to learn more and take action.
Upcoming Events
- 5/18: Know Your Rights: What You Need to Know about Tennessee’s latest Censorship Bills
- 6/9: Education Justice Lecture – Beyond Either/Or: The Constitutional Right to an Equitable and Diverse Public Education
- 5/11 – 7/6: Race Forward Training Series: Strong Public Schools and a Multiracial Democracy
- 5/26- 11/24: Stand for Children Intelligence Briefing
Past Events
