Texas AG Paxton: Austin ISD Teaches “Woke Critical Race Theory”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday (May 5) that he is taking legal action against Austin ISD for violating a state law by teaching “woke critical race theory” (CRT).

Paxton said his office plans to depose the superintendent and school board members as part of an investigation into whether AISD has an unwritten policy of developing and teaching CRT curriculum in violation of state law passed in 2021 (Texas Tribune) that outlaws the use of The New York Times “The 1619 Project” in Texas’ public schools and restricts how educators talk about race in classrooms. (The law does not specifically mention CRT.)

Paxton said his office was made aware of an AISD official making statements and implying that they were using curricula and teaching material linked to The 1619 Project.

Paxton added that another AISD employee stated there were “ways to get around” the state’s ban on CRT and discussed that the district’s board and superintendent are heavily involved in evaluating and setting policy for the district.

Undercover Video

Austin TV station KVUE reported that Paxton’s accusation is tied to an “undercover” video shot in 2022 by the conservative media outlet Accuracy in Media.

In the video, the district’s former equity officer, Dr. Stephanie Hawley — who recently retired from the district — talks about the ISD’s use of instructional materials from a platform called Newsela, saying it helps the district stay out of trouble with the Legislature.

Newsela reportedly has ties to The 1619 Project, which examines the role of slavery in American history and its lasting impacts on daily life.

An AISD spokesperson told Austin media that the district does not comment on pending legal litigation.