Consider the summary of “HB 1904 Teachers and other licensed school board employees; cultural competency,” a bill the Virginia General Assembly passed and our governor signed during the 2021 SPECIAL SESSION I.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Teachers and other licensed school board employees; cultural competency. Requires teacher, principal, and division superintendent evaluations to include an evaluation of cultural competency. The bill requires every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license from the Board of Education (i) to complete instruction or training in cultural competency and (ii) with an endorsement in history and social sciences to complete instruction in African American history, as prescribed by the Board. The bill also requires each school board to adopt and implement policies that require each teacher and any other school board employee holding a license issued by the Board to complete cultural competency training, in accordance with guidance issued by the Board, at least every two years. This bill is identical to SB 1196.

LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1904 > 2021 session (virginia.gov)

What is “cultural competency”? The bill does not define this expression.

Why is only African American history relevant to cultural competency? We can only guess. Apparently, our legislators have deliberately left the purpose of this bill vaguely defined, probably to hide their tracks. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take a genius to see that this bill gives education bureaucrats an opportunity to presure teachers to promote Critical Race Theory and the like in their classrooms.

Has anyone noticed that our children leave school without decent instruction in American history? Would it be too much to ask for our schools to instruct children in how our political system is supposed to work? What is wrong with teaching our children that they need to work to protect EVERYONE’s rights, or no one’s rights will be safe?

Who voted for this bill in the House of Delegates?

YEAS–Adams, D.M., Aird, Askew, Ayala, Bagby, Bourne, Bulova, Carr, Carter, Cole, J.G., Convirs-Fowler, Coyner, Delaney, Gooditis, Guy, Guzman, Hayes, Helmer, Heretick, Herring, Hodges, Hope, Hudson, Hurst, Jenkins, Jones, Keam, Kory, Krizek, Levine, Lopez, Marshall, McQuinn, Mugler, Mullin, Mundon King, Murphy, Plum, Price, Rasoul, Reid, Robinson, Roem, Samirah, Scott, Sickles, Simon, Simonds, Subramanyam, Sullivan, Torian, Tran, Tyler, VanValkenburg, Ward, Watts, Willett, Williams Graves, Madam Speaker–59.

LIS > Bill Tracking > > 2021 session (virginia.gov)

Who voted for this bill in the Virginia Senate?

YEAS–Barker, Bell, Boysko, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hashmi, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Morrissey, Petersen, Saslaw, Spruill, Surovell–21.

LIS > Bill Tracking > > 2021 session (virginia.gov)

What does the chattering class think our legislators are doing? Well, there are varying opinions.

• Virginia teachers are going to be assessed on ‘cultural competency.’ What does that mean? – Virginia Mercury
• Virginia Legislature Set to Mandate ‘Cultural Competency’ Evaluations, Training for Teachers — And Worse – RedState
• New Bill in Virginia Would Require Teachers to Undergo ‘Cultural Competency’ Training (legalinsurrection.com)
• Governor Northam Approves Cultural Competency Requirement for Virginia Teacher’s Licenses – Tennessee Star

We have a general election coming up soon. Election day is November 2, 2021. Check out Elections & Registration | pwcvotes, and make certain you can vote. Check out Welcome to the Virginia General Assembly Website. – Home and verify who currently represents you. If one of the people who voted for HB 1904 currently represents you, ask them why they voted for that bill.