As publisher edits out DEI from new phonics curriculum to appease red states, scholars object

The Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy canceled its virtual event to be held this week in partnership with Heinemann Publishing as it ends its professional relationship with the publisher.

The concern lies with a highly anticipated newly developed curriculum for elementary school students nationwide that emphasizes phonics — but includes diversity, equity and inclusion themes and teaching recommendations.

As Heinemann Publishing works to edit out some of that language to ensure it can be used in states that have passed laws restricting critical race theory in the classroom, scholars object to those changes and canceled the event as one way to sway the publisher not to cater to Republicans-led states.