Coppell ISD under fire: Texas AG Ken Paxton takes legal action against woke CRT curriculum in schools

By willowt // 2025-03-21

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on March 18 against Coppell Independent School District (ISD) for allegedly teaching critical race theory (CRT) in violation of state law. The lawsuit was prompted by a video showing a district administrator admitting to circumventing state prohibitions on CRT.
A video uploaded by Accuracy in Media on Feb. 25, featured Coppell ISD’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Evan Whitfield, stating the district had "gotten around" state CRT bans by claiming not to teach it. Whitfield also implied teachers could discreetly teach unapproved content, sparking widespread criticism.
Attorney General Paxton condemned the district’s actions, vowing to hold administrators accountable for pushing "divisive and racist CRT curriculum." The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to stop CRT teachings and the use of unapproved materials, emphasizing compliance with Texas law.
Critical Race Theory, an academic framework analyzing systemic racism, has become a contentious issue in K-12 education. Texas law (SB 3, 2021) prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior or that individuals are inherently oppressive based on race or sex, mandating objective and unbiased instruction.
The lawsuit reflects a national debate over CRT and ideological conflicts in public education. The case could set a precedent for enforcing state education laws, with potential impacts on other districts. Coppell ISD has not yet responded publicly, and the case is expected to draw significant attention as it progresses.

In a bold move to uphold state law and protect Texas students from divisive ideologies, Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Coppell Independent School District (ISD) for allegedly teaching critical race theory (CRT) in violation of state law. The lawsuit, filed on March 18, comes after a damning video surfaced showing a Coppell ISD administrator openly discussing how the district circumvented state prohibitions on CRT. The lawsuit has reignited the national debate over the role of CRT in public education, with Paxton vowing to hold accountable those who "unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms."

The video that sparked the lawsuit

The controversy began when a video was uploaded to social media by the group Accuracy in Media on Feb. 25. The footage, reportedly captured during an undercover conversation, features Evan Whitfield, Coppell ISD’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, admitting that the district had "gotten around" state prohibitions on CRT "by saying we’re not teaching [CRT]." Whitfield’s comments have drawn sharp criticism. In the video, he states, "despite what our state standards say," Coppell ISD does "what’s right." When asked if teachers could simply "close the door and teach what’s right," Whitfield replied, "Shh, that’s what we do." The video also revealed that Coppell ISD has been using the "Next Generation Science Standards" curriculum, which has never been approved by the Texas State Board of Education. Textbooks with similar approaches to "environmental education" have also been rejected by the state.

Paxton’s response: A stand against woke ideology

Attorney General Ken Paxton wasted no time in responding to the revelations. In a statement, he declared, "Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions. Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them." Paxton’s lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to prohibit Coppell ISD from teaching CRT or using state or local funds to develop or distribute CRT materials. The state is not seeking monetary damages but aims to enforce compliance with Texas law. The lawsuit names several Coppell ISD officials as defendants, signaling a clear message that state laws governing education will be strictly enforced.

What is critical race theory, and why does it matter?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic framework that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as a response to the civil rights movement’s perceived shortcomings. It posits that racism is not merely the product of individual bias but is systematically embedded in laws, policies and institutions. While CRT has been a subject of debate in higher education for decades, its introduction into K-12 curricula has sparked widespread controversy. Critics argue that CRT promotes division by framing societal issues through the lens of race and perpetuates a narrative of systemic oppression. Texas lawmakers have taken a firm stance against CRT in public schools. In 2021, the state passed SB 3, which prohibits educators from teaching that "one race or sex is inherently superior to another" or that individuals are "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive" based on their race or sex. The law also mandates that controversial issues be taught "objectively and in a manner free from political bias."

Historical context: The battle over education

The fight over CRT in Texas is part of a broader national struggle over the direction of public education. Historically, public schools have been battlegrounds for cultural and ideological conflicts, from the Scopes Trial in the 1920s to the debates over sex education in the 1980s. In recent years, the rise of CRT as a flashpoint reflects deeper societal divisions over how history, race and identity should be taught. Proponents argue that CRT provides a necessary framework for understanding systemic inequality, while opponents view it as a harmful ideology that fosters resentment and division. Texas has been at the forefront of this debate, with state leaders like Paxton taking a hardline stance against what they see as the encroachment of progressive ideologies in education. The lawsuit against Coppell ISD is the latest salvo in this ongoing cultural war.

What’s next for Coppell ISD?

As of now, Coppell ISD has not issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit. Local affliate FOX 4 News reached out to the district for comment, but no response was provided. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it moves through the courts, with implications for other school districts across Texas and beyond. For now, the lawsuit serves as a stark reminder that state laws governing education are not mere suggestions—they are mandates that must be followed. As Attorney General Paxton put it, "My lawsuit aims to put an immediate end to this illegal and hateful curriculum and immediately stop the blatant refusal to follow state law by certain officials at Coppell ISD." The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how states address the teaching of controversial ideologies in public schools, ensuring that education remains a space for learning, not indoctrination. Sources include: X.com TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov FoxNews.com