Document reveals McAuliffe admin pushed Va. schools to 'embrace' critical race theory

WASHINGTON (TND) — A leaked document appears to show the Virginia Department of Education encouraged public schools to "embrace" critical race theory (CRT) while Democrat Terry McAuliffe was governor.

McAuliffe, who is running for Virginia governor again this year, recently claimed critical race theory has "never been taught in Virginia," and criticized those concerned about critical race theory for promoting a divisive "dog-whistle."

The leaked document is a 2015 training program issued by the Virginia Department of Education.

As part of the program's “Culturally-Responsive Teaching and Learning Principles," public schools were encouraged to "embrace critical race theory," and "engage in race-conscious teaching and learning," according to the leaked presentation first reported by investigative journalist Christopher Rufo.

In addition, Va. Superintendent of Public Instruction James F. Lane sent a memo to all school districts in 2019 encouraging school leaders to read a book that calls critical race theory "an important analytic tool" for addressing "power and privilege."

The memo was sent around the same time as the Virginia blackface scandals, which involved Democratic state leaders.

As education leaders — we have the opportunity and an obligation — to facilitate meaningful dialogue on racism and bigotry with our students, staff, and school communities," Lane wrote in the memo.

Opponents of critical race theory argue it is a divisive tool that creates tension between students of different races rather than bridging any existing divides.

The Virginia Department of Education currently cites critical race theory in its definition of "white supremacy" within the state's "Anti-Racism in Education" guidance. The curriculum also cites people like critical race theorist Ibram X. Kendi, who wrote the book "How To Be An Antiracist."