Federal Relief Funds Used for Anti-Racism Training in Albuquerque Schools

Albuquerque Public Schools directed hundreds of thousands of dollars from federal pandemic relief to anti-racism training for educators. In 2021, the district allocated $336,500 from the American Rescue Plan for training with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). Records indicate nearly $700,000 was spent.

Officials from the school district could not verify the total spending or the exact amount from COVID relief due to lack of immediate access to records. PISAB training materials encourage “White folks” to learn how they became white and define race as a classification created by Europeans to assign worth and status.

The training included sessions like “Community Conversations,” focusing on equity and anti-racism, and “Undoing Racism” workshops, presented by the Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest (ARTI). This program engaged hundreds of educators, initially targeting school leaders.

By July 2022, 721 staff members participated in ARTI training. America First Legal criticized the use of funds intended to support students affected by lockdowns, deeming the sessions as Critical Race Theory indoctrination.

Julie Levin, senior counsel at America First Legal, expressed concern about using relief funds for these teachings instead of student recovery efforts. Records showed APS planned to extend the training, proposing almost $1 million in DEI programs reaching 2,000 annual participants by 2024.

Discussions arose in 2022 about adding a student component involving 20 to 30 students per school. This plan aimed to integrate anti-racism principles into student projects but was never executed.

Despite criticisms, APS maintained that the purpose of the training was to boost student attendance and achievement. The district continued working with ARTI and considered more “Undoing Racism” sessions in 2023.

The People’s Institute still offers similar courses in other U.S. cities. These classes are available on their website, reflecting a broad initiative, according to Levin.

America First Legal pledges to reveal instances where educational funds are directed away from children’s learning to promote divisive ideology.