Greg McGuckin and Paul Kanitra want the law changed. The assemblymen on Monday introduced legislation (A5560) to repeal the 2021 law that requires diversity and inclusion instruction in schools. That law requires school districts to incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion “in an appropriate place in the curriculum,” with a particular focus on unconscious bias; for example, all white people are racist and all Black people are victims.
“DEI is not appropriate in any part of our children’s curriculum. It is nothing more than rebranded Marxist ideology that destroys people, relationships and communities, and in schools, wrecks merit-based rewards and an ambition to excel,” McGuckin (R-Ocean) said. “True diversity, equity and inclusion leads to free associations which foster innovation and progress. The leftist DEI being forced in our schools does not. It is garbage and needs to go.”
In the 2010s, schools across the country started implementing DEI content into curriculum. According to Pew Research in 2023, about 30% of districts nationwide cited such content—lessons on systemic racism and LGBTQ+ history—as important in their mission statements, with Democrat-leaning districts skewing higher. Under the previous administration, federal grants and guidance encouraged that content.
However, by mid-2024, at least 23 states including Texas and Florida, had enacted laws restricting DEI instruction. As per President Trump’s executive orders on Jan. 20 and 21, 2025, institutions that receive federal funding must dismantle DEI programs or risk losing funding. The U.S. Department of Education recently established a portal where parents, students and community members could report “illegal discriminatory practices at institutions of learning.” A joint letter dated March 5, 2025, from 15 attorneys general argued those executive orders have no impact on existing law.
McGuckin and Kanitra pointed to the fallout from Gov. Phil Murphy’s Covid school closures—among the longest in the nation—that caused significant drops in test scores in English language learning, math and science. Students have yet to reach proficiency levels last seen in 2019, before closures.
“It boggles my mind why ‘the experts’ think telling students their skin color determines their success or failure is true or helpful. They are either stupid or evil, or maybe brilliant, because the experts pushing this stuff are quite wealthy I hear,” Kanitra (R-Ocean). “But I’m a practical guy and I’d love our New Jersey schools to be great again, and they can do that by getting back to basics. Get the social experimentation out of our classrooms.”
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Republican lawmakers across the country are pushing for a ban on what they refer to as “woke curriculum” in public schools. This movement has gained traction in recent months, with several states considering legislation to prohibit the teaching of certain topics that are deemed divisive or controversial.
The term “woke curriculum” is often used to describe educational materials and teachings that focus on issues of social justice, diversity, and equity. Proponents of these teachings argue that they are necessary to address systemic inequalities and promote understanding and empathy among students.
However, Republican lawmakers argue that these teachings are overly political and promote a one-sided view of history and society. They believe that such curriculum can be harmful to students, as it may promote a victim mentality or foster resentment towards certain groups.
In response to these concerns, several states have introduced bills that would ban the teaching of critical race theory, gender identity, or other topics deemed controversial. For example, in Texas, lawmakers have proposed legislation that would prohibit the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.
Supporters of these bills argue that they are necessary to ensure that students are not indoctrinated with a particular political ideology. They believe that schools should focus on teaching traditional subjects such as math, science, and history, without delving into contentious social issues.
Critics, however, argue that banning certain topics from the curriculum limits students’ exposure to diverse perspectives and stifles critical thinking. They argue that education should be inclusive and reflect the realities of the world, including issues of race, gender, and social justice.
The debate over “woke curriculum” in public schools is likely to continue as more states consider legislation on this issue. It raises important questions about the role of education in shaping students’ understanding of society and their place in it. Ultimately, the outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for the future of education in America.
