Minnesota’s largest teachers union is facing a backlash over its aggressive slate of ideological “professional development” courses, including sessions on “Interrupting Whiteness” and other trainings centered around racialized DEI activism.
Education Minnesota, the state’s dominant teachers union, promotes these “racial equity trainings” as programs members can request to be brought “to your building.”
The offerings include “Culturally Responsive Teaching With a Racial Justice Lens,” “Cultural Competency,” and similar courses that frame public education through a race-based political lens.
Under state policy, Minnesota educators are required to complete “cultural competency” training to renew their licenses, which may include topics on “Systemic Racism,” “Language Diversity,” and related DEI frameworks, according to state government guidelines.
Union Pushes BLM-Style Narratives Throughout Its Website
The union’s website is filled with similarly themed content, including materials on “anti-racism,” guides on “Anti-immigrant rhetoric & deportation,” and a “racial and social justice” page that claims “certain politicians” are targeting minority students by deploying police in schools.
“Most of us believe that every child, no matter what they look like or where they come from, deserves a safe and welcoming school where they can thrive,” the union states.
“But certain politicians try to divide us by sending police to monitor and punish black and brown students in schools that have been denied funding to even cover the basics, while ensuring well-resourced schools with mostly white students have enrichment activities, teacher training, and parent engagement.”
The website cites “the murder of George Floyd” as a cornerstone moment shaping its activism and says the union is battling “attacks on honesty in education.”
Collectively, these programs fall under Education Minnesota’s “Facing Inequities and Racism in Education” (FIRE) initiative.
The union says FIRE is designed to “disrupt systemic racism and racial inequities in Minnesota’s education system.”
In addition, the union also runs a “Racial Equity Advocate network” and hosts “Equity EdCamps” for teachers across the state.
Academic Performance Continues to Collapse
Meanwhile, Minnesota students continue to fall behind academically across core subjects.
More than half of 4th graders statewide tested below national proficiency in 2024.
Among 8th graders:
- 66% scored below proficient in math
- 72% scored below proficient in reading
Despite the sharp decline in academic outcomes, state leaders have intensified their focus on race-based training and ideological curriculum.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrats’ failed 2024 vice-presidential nominee, signed legislation last year to fund race-based teacher trainings and expand the hiring of what the law calls “diverse” educators.
In 2023, Walz signed a law requiring “ethnic studies” instruction in schools statewide, introducing racially divisive themes beginning as early as kindergarten.
The result is a statewide education system increasingly consumed with DEI politics, even as students continue to perform worse year after year.
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