As the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) faces its Oct. 31 deadline to finalize a new ethnic studies framework, questions are intensifying over the influence of Brian Lozenski, a professor appointed by the Walz administration to help shape that framework.
Two Minnesota groups, the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) and the Center of the American Experiment (CAE), allege that MDE is keeping crucial information under wraps.
Lozenski’s public statements supporting the “overthrow” of the United States have raised concerns about the framework’s ideological direction and MDE’s transparency. The framework will guide school districts on the implementation of new ethnic studies requirements.
Legal letters demand transparency as MDE withholds draft from public review
The UMCL and CAE’s letters, sent on Oct. 2 and Oct. 25, 2024, specifically ask for documents detailing the Ethnic Studies Working Group’s recent activities.
Initially, the group had assured CAE that a draft framework would be available for public review and input. However, when the working group concluded its final session in September, it withheld the draft from public view, according to CAE. As such, CAE filed a data request seeking all materials produced and finalized during that meeting.
However, according to UMLC’s most recent letter, MDE has “failed to even acknowledge our clients’ straightforward request, much less comply with it.”
“Despite the initial expectation that the public would get to view, and weigh in on, the direction the Minnesota Department of Education plans on taking ethnic studies instruction in public K-12 classrooms, it is clear MDE wants to keep these documents private for as long as possible,” said Catrin Wigfall, a policy fellow at CAE. “Skeptics might wonder if national politics are driving these decisions.”
Banks calls for investigation into Lozenski’s ‘radical and destructive’ views
Lozenski’s appointment to MDE’s Ethnic Studies Working Group, tasked with creating the framework, has raised concerns over what content Minnesota students might be exposed to in the classroom.
Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., has demanded an investigation into Lozenski’s role, stating that his views on dismantling the U.S. should disqualify him from any part in shaping education standards.
“Mr. Lozenski has clearly explained, publicly and on video, that he supports the deconstruction and overthrow of the United States because our nation is irredeemably racist and evil,” Banks wrote, Fox News reported. “This is a radical and destructive worldview that, because of Gov. Walz’s recent signing of Minnesota’s education law, will be taught to thousands of children across your state.”
Professor’s past statements raise ideological red flags
Lozenski’s controversial remarks were made during a 2022 online event and first reported by National Review. In the video, he stated that critical race theory promotes “overthrow” rather than diversity.
Brian Lozenski, appointed by Gov. Tim Walz's administration to an ethnic studies working group, says the United States needs to be "overthrown" in a video unearthed by @NRO
"You can't be a critical race theorist and be pro-U.S. … and that's why I'm a critical race theorist." pic.twitter.com/SkGaKpPj05
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) September 25, 2024
“The first tenet of critical race theory [CRT] is that the United States, as constructed, is irreversibly racist,” Lozenski said. “So, if the nation-state, as constructed, is irreversibly racist, then it must be done with. It must be overthrown, right?”
MDE faces demands for transparency amid growing skepticism
Despite today’s deadline to finalize the framework, MDE has not yet responded to CAE’s requests for public access to the working group’s documents.
In the absence of a response, the Upper Midwest Law Center and CAE are exploring legal avenues to compel document disclosure.
“We believe Minnesota students deserve an education grounded in truth, not a radical rewriting of history,” said Doug Seaton, president of UMLC. “Parents and taxpayers have the right to transparency and accountability from the Department of Education to ensure that classrooms foster genuine learning—not politically motivated narratives.”
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
