Kane County Reporter

Illinois' top math and science high school is requiring teachers to study so-called "Critical Race Theory," which argues that racism is to blame for differences in racial group performance, such as lower test scores by black students, or higher violent crime rates for blacks than whites.

Teachers at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora will sit for a three day, 180 minute "Introduction to Critical Race Theory in Education Research," according to a school syllabus obtained by the Kane County Reporter.

The classes "will cover an introduction to Critical Race Theory  (CRT) concepts, the utilitization of CRT in the field of education and research applications of CRT in K-12 classrooms and districts," according to the syllabus.

Teachers will be instructed in how to use CRT in teaching mathematics and science.

"Students will create power points and share their 'research designs' with the group in the final 60-minute session," the syllabus says, adding they will be required to read "journal articles " and "book chapters" about CRT.

"(The) session provides additional insight and inquiry into academic disciplines, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)... and promotes DEI values and perspectives," according to the syllabus.

IMSA teachers will be instructed in "Critical Race Theory" by Thandeka K. Chapman, a professor from University of California San Diego. Her bio says her research focuses on "the ways in which institutional racism is manifested in school climate, curriculum, adult and student relationships and school policies."

A 2013 published article by Chapman is titled, "You can't erase race! Using CRT to explain the presence of race and racism in majority white suburban schools.”

In it, Chapman writes that students and teachers who claim to be "color blind" are still racist.

Chapman graduated from ISMA in 1989 and was given the school's "distinguished leadership award" in 2009.

Founded in 1985 by Nobel prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman, IMSA has approximately 650 students in grades 10-12.

IMSA principal, Comfort Akwaji-Anderson, is a proponent of "social justice in mathematics education.”

"All students can learn mathematics, but not all students learn the same way," she said in a 2016 presentation. "Jose learns math while working on cars."

The IMSA board includes Erin W. Roche of Chicago (Chairman), Paula Olszewski-Kubilius of Willow Springs, Kathleen Clarke of Oak Park, Alaina Anderson of Chicago, Eric R. Brown of Chicago, Roberto Curci of River Forest, Tiy Goddard of Champaign, Laretta Henderson of Charleston, Steven T. Isoye of Chicago, Luis Nunez of Chicago, Rebecca Martinez O’Mara of Oak Brook, Marsha R. Rosner of Chicago and Herbert Steven Sims of Chicago. Five members are black, three are hispanic, four are white and one is Asian.