Utah Senate passes resolution asking State Board of Education to set CRT-related standards after heated debate

The Utah State Senate on May 19, 2021 passed Senate Resolution 901 (SR901), a nonbinding measure asking the Utah State Board of Education to review curriculum standards related to teaching about race and to ensure certain concepts are excluded from state curriculum standards.

Sponsor Senator Fillmore presented the resolution as an attempt to "turn the temperature down" on a polarized debate and used an extended analogy, calling critical race theory "a gas" to argue the state should create a "container" (standards) so curriculum is consistent and does not include specified concepts. The secretary read the resolution language that the Senate asked the board to exclude from curriculum standards, including that "one race is inherently superior or inferior to another race," that "an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment because of their race," and that "an individual's moral character is determined by the individual's race."

The resolution attracted sustained debate. Senator Davis said she opposed the resolution as presented and pressed the sponsor to clarify whether the measure would limit legitimate classroom discussion about racism, observing, "Racism is true. It is not a theory. It happens." Supporters including Senator Andrigg, Senator Vickers and others said the resolution seeks common ground and asked that the State Board use its constitutional authority to set standards and involve stakeholders.

Senator Escamilla offered two friendly amendments clarifying the resolution's scope and the State Board of Education's role; those amendments were accepted on the floor. Debate covered questions about process (several senators said the topic is properly studied in interim committee and by the State Board), the difference between academic theory and classroom standards, and concern that the resolution might preempt or complicate ongoing study.

Under suspension of the rules the Senate recorded a roll-call vote: SR901 passed with 21 yea votes, 6 nay votes and 2 absent. The President signed the resolution for enrollment. The measure is advisory and does not itself change law; it asks the State Board of Education to undertake review and to exclude the three enumerated concepts from state curriculum standards.