Nebraska lawmakers debate how race is taught in public schools

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Since January of last year, following national unrest over the police killing of George Floyd, 37 states have introduced measures designed to restrict how teachers can talk about race in the classroom.

Nebraska lawmakers are debating a similar proposal Thursday that would place a long list of restrictions on educators and government agencies.

Jenni Benson with the Nebraska State Education Association says LB 1077, which was introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, is a solution in search of a problem.

She said that if it's passed, because it is so broadly written, it would cause major disruptions for teachers and school districts.

"It is definitely going to be part of the teacher shortage, of the staffing shortage, because everything is under a microscope," Benson told Public News Service.