“Divisive Concepts” Legislation Reaching into Tennessee Secondary Classrooms Has “Chilling Effect” on Teachers

Abstract

Recent legislation in Tennessee regarding “divisive concepts” in secondary education negatively impacts teachers. It causes them to question previously taught content for fear that parents or administrators might deem it too controversial, which could put educators’ jobs in jeopardy. Secondary educators used various approaches when handling potentially “divisive” material, such as changing “hot button” terms while teaching the same basic content, “watering down” lessons to ensure they will not be targeted, or cutting out all potentially controversial subjects altogether. These are examples of the “chilling effect” caused by certain types of legislation. Another example is the recent book banning in Tennessee that resulted in many teachers cutting out their classroom libraries completely to avoid trouble. The increasing legislative reach into secondary classrooms has important implications for both students and teachers, such as contributing toward the growing teacher shortage statewide or leaving students as unprepared voters and citizens. Therefore, educators must speak out about the negative impacts of legislative overreach.