Gov. Kristi Noem Signs Anti-Critical Race Theory Bill

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill Monday banning colleges from being able to require students and faculty to attend critical race theory-based trainings. 

“No student or teacher should have to endorse Critical Race Theory in order to attend, graduate from, or teach at our public universities,” Noem said in a press release. 

As reported by Just the News, the law does not specifically mention critical race theory, but says it seeks to “protect students and employees at institutions of higher education from divisive concepts.” 

These concepts include the belief that people should face discriminatioon or adverse treatment based on their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity or national origin. 

“College should remain a place where freedom of thought and expression are encouraged, not stifled by political agendas,” Noem said.

“This session, we also made targeted investments in job training for key career fields like nursing and skilled manufacturing,” she added. “We want our kids and grandkids to get the best training possible so that they can fill available jobs right here in South Dakota.”