Coppell ISD faces legal action after a video surfaces showing a district official discussing methods of bypassing Texas’ ban on critical race theory sparking a lot of controversy and immediate action

Coppell, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Coppell Independent School District (ISD), alleging that district officials have illegally incorporated critical race theory (CRT) into their curriculum despite state prohibitions. The legal action follows the emergence of a video in which Evan Whitfield, Coppell ISD’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, appears to discuss how the district has circumvented state restrictions on CRT.

In the footage, Whitfield can be heard explaining that Coppell ISD has found ways to continue teaching concepts aligned with CRT by framing them differently.

The lawsuit was filed after a video was published showing Evan Whitfield, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Coppell ISD, discussing how the district had “gotten around” prohibitions on the use of CRT in state policies and curricula “by saying we’re not teaching [CRT].” Whitfield further stated that “despite what our state standards say,” Coppell ISD does “what’s right.”

The video has drawn sharp criticism, particularly because it suggests that district officials knowingly defied Texas law, which prohibits CRT from being included in public school instruction. Whitfield also reportedly boasted about incorporating elements of the “Next Generation Science Standards” into the curriculum—an educational framework that has not been approved by the Texas State Board of Education. Critics argue that similar approaches, particularly those emphasizing environmental and social justice themes, have previously been rejected at the state level.

In response to the revelations, Attorney General Paxton vowed to take swift legal action against school officials who, in his words, “unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms.” He characterized the lawsuit as an effort to protect Texas students from what he called “woke ideology” infiltrating public education.

“Texas children deserve to receive the best education in the world, not have woke ideology forced upon them,” Paxton said.

This lawsuit comes amid an ongoing nationwide debate over CRT in schools, with conservative leaders arguing that it promotes racial division and progressive advocates asserting that discussions on race and systemic inequality are essential for a comprehensive education.

Texas lawmakers have previously passed legislation restricting how race-related topics can be taught in K-12 classrooms, making it clear that CRT should not be included in the curriculum.

If successful, Paxton’s lawsuit could lead to legal penalties for Coppell ISD officials and force immediate changes to the district’s curriculum practices. It may also set a precedent for how Texas enforces its CRT ban across public school districts moving forward.

Meanwhile, parents and educators in Coppell and beyond are left grappling with the broader implications of the case—one that could have significant ripple effects on educational policies across the state.

To read the filing, click here.Top of Form