Bailey Opposes Measure He Says Could Force Teachers to Violate Their Conscience When Adhering to the Standards

The Illinois Senate passed a measure Wednesday that a local legislator says would reinforce the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards approved in March by the Illinois State Board of Education.

State Senator Darren Bailey of Xenia said Senate Bill 814 creates a new teacher and principal induction and mentoring program that would abide by the standards. Bailey said the standards could lead to teachers being forced to violate their own conscience in exposing students to what he termed socially controversial topics. 

Bailey, who served for 17 years on the North Clay Board of Education at Louisville, said there is potential harm in unfunded, but mandated, centralized rules and regulations for local schools...