A federal appeals court issued a ruling allowing Arkansas to enforce its ban on teaching critical race theory (CRT) in public school classrooms.
The decision, which was issued on Wednesday, overturned a previous preliminary injunction that had temporarily blocked the law’s implementation.
The ban has been challenged by students and teachers who argue it violates their rights.
A three-judge panel rejected claims that the state’s restriction infringes on the First Amendment rights of students.
“Since the Free Speech Clause does not give the students the right to compel the government to say something it does not wish to, they cannot show a likelihood of success,” the judges wrote.
The ruling clarified that neither citizens nor students can demand the government maintain a particular curriculum or endorse a specific message, according to Just the News.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin praised the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of local control over education.
“With its ruling today, the 8th Circuit continues to ensure that the responsibility of setting curriculum is in the hands of democratically elected officials who, by nature, are responsive to voters,” Griffin said.
His office has stood behind the state’s authority to regulate public education, framing the matter as