Source: Fox News
Summary
Fox News reported that Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) spent over $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds on anti-racism training for teachers and administrators. The money came from the American Rescue Plan, with $336,500 initially approved for the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). America First Legal obtained records showing the district spent nearly double that amount. PISAB, which has received grants from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, provides training materials that define race as a construct created by Europeans to maintain power. APS officials said they could not confirm the spending. The training included sessions on undoing racism and was delivered through the Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest (ARTI).
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
APS spent millions on anti-racism training for teachers.
Money meant for students went to sessions on undoing racism.
PISAB’s materials define race as a European invention.
Training was part of a broader effort across multiple cities.
Author: Evan Null
Albuquerque Public Schools and Federal Relief Funds
Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) used federal pandemic relief funds for anti-racism training. The money came from the American Rescue Plan, which was meant to help students recover from learning loss. Instead, the district approved $336,500 for training through the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). Records show the district spent nearly $700,000 on the program. PISAB, which has received grants from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, provides training materials that define race as a construct created by Europeans to maintain power. The training was delivered through the Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest (ARTI), which had a long relationship with PISAB.
Training Materials and Their Content
PISAB’s training materials include sessions that instruct “White folks” to “learn how [they] became white.” The materials define race as a “specious classification of human beings created by Europeans (whites)” to assign human worth and social status. The training included “Community Conversations,” an introductory course on equity and anti-racism principles, as well as “Introduction to Undoing Racism” and a multi-day “Undoing Racism” workshop. These sessions were designed to help teachers and administrators understand and address systemic racism.
Concerns from America First Legal
America First Legal obtained records showing that APS spent millions on anti-racism training. The group criticized the use of federal funds, arguing that the money was meant to help students recover from the pandemic, not to fund what they called “critical race theory indoctrination sessions.” Bobby Crossin, counsel at America First Legal, said leftist groups infiltrate schools to shape children’s minds. He claimed the training was not about anti-racism but about indoctrination. Julie Levin, senior counsel at America First Legal, said the district was using taxpaying dollars to pay for training that was supposed to be anti-racism but was actually ideological.
Plans for Student Involvement
APS had plans to extend the training to students. In fall 2022, the district proposed adding a “student component” to its equity/anti-racism model. The plan would have involved 20 to 30 students per school at up to 10 middle and high schools. The proposal envisioned introducing students to “foundational equity/anti-racism principles” before having them develop projects of their own. However, APS officials said the student component was never implemented. The district’s relationship with ARTI continued after the proposal, with ARTI providing a $27,000 estimate for in-person training in 2023.
APS’s Defense of the Training
APS defended its use of PISAB and ARTI trainings, stating the programs were intended to improve student outcomes. A district spokesperson said the training was meant to help with attendance and academic achievement. The district said it had not received criticism about the program. However, America First Legal argued that the training was part of a broader effort by leftist groups to reshape schools around an insidious political agenda. The group said it would continue exposing where public-school dollars are being diverted away from education toward ideological programs that divide Americans by race.
