Introduction of the Combating Implicit Bias in Education Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Combating Implicit Bias in Education Act. My bill would create a $25 million grant program for schools to train teachers, principals and other personnel on implicit bias, including with respect to actual or perceived race, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

The Department of Education's Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2015-2016 school year found that students of color, males and those with disabilities received far more severe and frequent punishment than white, female and non-disabled students. Despite the findings of this report, the Trump Administration and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos are considering eliminating the Obama Administration's guidance seeking to curb exclusionary discipline. Students experiencing implicit bias and even outright discrimination face far greater expulsion and suspension rates, fueling the school-to-prison pipeline and widening the student achievement gap.

The bill aims to reduce the effect of implicit bias on school discipline, academic achievement and academic attainment through research-based training for education personnel. Providing teachers and school officials with training could help close the achievement gap and reduce suspensions and expulsions.

Under my bill, the Institute of Education Sciences under the Department of Education is tasked with evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of the training.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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