The Corpus Christi Independent School District has confirmed it is removing references to César Chávez from the curriculum.
An investigation from the New York Times revealed allegations that Chávez, a Mexican American labor leader long revered for his contributions to civil rights, sexually abused girls who worked in the United Farm Workers movement for years. Among the accusers was Dolores Huerta, an icon in her own right, who was scheduled to lead a march in honor of Chávez that would have taken place in Corpus Christi on March 28.
Days before the New York Times investigation was even published, word of the allegations spread across the country. The annual Corpus Christi march was canceled, with local organizers expressing shock and horror.
Chávez died in 1993. His birthday, March 31, has been observed as a holiday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that the state will not observe the day.
Teachings on César Chávez in schools
Chávez’s legacy has long been required teaching in Texas public schools. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for fifth grade social studies includes Chávez as one of several individuals whose accomplishments and contributions should be highlighted to ensure students understand important issues, events and individuals in the U.S. during the 20th and 21st centuries, along with Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan.
Chávez is also highlighted in high school U.S. history and Mexican American studies TEKS.
On March 23, the Texas Education Agency addressed the allegations of sexual abuse committed by Chávez by directing schools to eliminate, modify or alter any activities, lessons or materials to remove references to Chávez.
According to the notice to schools, any student expectations explicitly focused on Chávez will likely be removed as the State Board of Education rewrites the social studies TEKS.
According to state law, teachers cannot be “compelled to discuss widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs” — this now includes Chávez.
The notice also directs schools to cancel any planned César Chávez Day events or activities.
Several schools in Texas have canceled activities; others are considering renaming campuses that bear Chávez’s name.
What about Corpus Christi ISD?
In a March 24 email, Corpus Christi ISD informed the Caller-Times that the district is not impacted in this way — no district campuses were named after Chávez and there were no planned holiday closures to address.
The district said in the email that all content and readings related to Chávez are being removed, not only from social studies curriculums but from reading curriculums as well. Readings will be replaced with other textbook selections.
The district is updating instructional guides to reflect these changes, “allowing teachers to easily identify and access the revised content,” the email states.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here’s how schools are responding to César Chávez sexual abuse claims
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
