LINCOLN - Several Nebraska senators are taking steps forward to initiate an investigation into the Nebraska Department of Education. The main goal, keeping Critical Race Theory, out of Nebraska’s education system. Senator Dave Murman, Steve Erdman, and Steve Halloran all spoke on Monday at the capitol.

In speaking to the press at the Rotunda in the capital, Sen. Murman of District 38 began by explaining the Department of Education was given COVID-19 relief funds, but the department launched an online resource hub known as “Launch Nebraska”. After a year of operation, the site shifted its focus to racial justice, providing educators guidance on Culturally Responsive Learning.

“The people of Nebraska, and certainly of my district in south central Nebraska, expect schools to teach students the basics and prepare students for opportunities for higher education or the trades,” Murman said. “Unfortunately, bureaucrats at the Nebraska Department of Education have decided Nebraska children would be better served if children become activists and focus learning on woke gender theory.”

The site had listed CRT as “Culturally Responsive Learning”. Sen. Halloran of Nebraska’s 33rd District does not see a difference and supports the investigation.

“Well we can change the name. We can put lipstick on the pig, but it’s still critical race theory,” Halloran said. “The whole concept of Critical Race Theory is centered around having implicit bias…. The only think children have that’s implicit, is innocence.”

Also in support is 47th District Sen. Steve Erdman, who says the goal of the investigation is to reset the basics of American education in Nebraska, as average ACT scores dropped from a composite score of 20 in 2021 to 19.4.

“We’re going to get back to the basics, we’re going to get back to teaching the true history of who Colombus was, why America was founded, and what we need to know going forward.”

As far as consequences as a result of the investigation, Sen. Murman has several options on the table.

“Some other states have passed legislation banning Critical Race Theory in their schools, and also comprehensive sex education. There has been calls for the elimination of the Nebraska State Department of Education, but we’re going to follow the facts and whatever those lead us to do, we will promote.”