Proposal to reference ‘equity’ in teacher code sparks backlash

A public meeting to review and approve changes to Montana’s code of ethics for teachers became a flashpoint for debate about diversity and race-based education in public schools Wednesday.

During a hearing of the state Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council (CSPAC), members took public comment on a proposal to strike a line in the Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics stating that an ethical educator “understands and respects diversity” and replace it with “demonstrates an understanding of educational equity and inclusion, and respects human diversity...