LITTLE ROCK KATV – A federal judge has decided to delay making a final ruling on Arkansas’ request to dismiss a lawsuit about the LEARNS Act. This lawsuit challenges a part of the law that bans teaching critical race theory CRT in schools.
The state argues that this ban protects students from being influenced by biased teachings. However, the people suing, including teachers and students from Little Rock Central High and the NAACP, believe the law violates free speech and gives the government too much control over classrooms.
On Friday, Judge Lee Rudofsky put off a final decision on most of the state’s request.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders commented on the situation, saying:
This is a step in the right direction. The LEARNS Act has already improved education in Arkansas by increasing teacher pay, focusing on literacy, and banning biased teachings. I’m confident this challenge will be defeated, just like the others.
The lawsuit aims to overturn Section 16 of the LEARNS Act, which specifically bans teaching critical race theory—an approach often included in African American studies.
The judge’s full order is available to read online.