KNEA testifies against HB 2428, saying bill undermines academic freedom

Professor: ‘Freedom From Indoctrination Act’ undermines students’ ability to think critically

By Ann Marie Bush

KNEA Communications Director

Timothy R. Graham, KNEA Director of Government Relations, provided testimony on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in opposition of HB 2428.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the House Committee on Education heard testimony on a bill that would bar public postsecondary institutions from requiring diversity, equity and inclusion- (DEI) or critical race theory- (CRT) related courses for graduation.

Timothy R. Graham, Director of Government Relations for the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA), told the committee that KNEA represents nearly 1,000 higher‑education members across Kansas, working in both regent institutions and community colleges.

“These professionals are spread throughout Kansas, but they share a common set of deeply held beliefs about their work and their role in higher education,” Graham said. “Central among those beliefs is a strong commitment to academic freedom - the freedom to teach, to explore ideas, and to engage students in open inquiry.”

KNEA opposes House Bill 2428, also referred to as the Freedom From Indoctrination Act, because it inserts the Legislature into decisions about curriculum, course content and faculty evaluation - areas traditionally handled through established academic governance structures. He added that debates like this are better suited to the system already in place through the Kansas Board of Regents and institutional governance processes.

Bill sponsors testify

Bill sponsors Rep. Kristey Williams, Rep. Susan Humphries and Rep. Bob Lewis all testified in person. Rep. Megan Steele also spoke in favor of the bill.

“True academic freedom includes the ability for faculty and students to explore ideas and question ideas without coercion into ideological thinking or participation,” Williams provided in her written testimony. “Ideas should be examined and debated, but beliefs should not be ‘mandated’ through required political courses not directly related to the intended major. This bill prevents compelled speech.”

During a House Committee on Education hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Rep. Kristey Williams, one of the three representatives sponsoring the bill, spoke in support of the HB 2428, also known as the “Freedom From Indoctrination Act.”

During her oral testimony, Williams said the idea is “simple.”

“We as a government should not compel speech in our universities,” she said. “In fact, we should actually prop up and encourage free speech – even speech we do not agree with.”

Rep. Jerry Stogsdill (House Minority Agenda Chair) questioned Williams’ assertion that DEI content constitutes compelled speech, referencing her testimony that accountants shouldn’t be required to take DEI-based courses.

“I remember as an undergraduate at Kansas State – no matter what curriculum you were in – you were required to take American history and western civilization,” Stogsdill said. “How in the world do you teach that and get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion out of those courses?”

Williams responded that she believes that is political ideology.

“I do not subscribe to the theories that are incumbent and part of DEI,” she said in response to Stogsdill’s question. “I believe no matter what your color; no matter what your religious background; no matter what country you’re from, we’re all equal. Like Martin Luther King said – he actually believed in a color-blind society. So, teaching our young people victimhood or teaching them that there is a hierarchy of goodness and value is actually anti-gospel from my perspective. And, so, DEI is actually very well against my belief system.”

Humphries said the bill is necessary because DEI ideology continues to be taught in Kansas universities. She outlined three major sections in the bill.

“It provides several remedies for the teaching of DEI and mandated courses,” she said. “Students will not be required to enroll in such courses as a condition of satisfying that program’s requirement, and it also protects professors from being forced to participate in DEI-oriented courses or mandates if they choose to teach those courses. This bill allows for the discussion of controversial issues in history and allows an exemption for ethnic, racial and women’s studies programs. It’s not an assault on academic freedom.”

After Steele’s testimony in favor of HB 2428, Stogsdill commented on what he said is a recent shift in public perception around DEI.

“It seems to me it’s only been in the last year or so that the words diversity, equity and inclusion have become dirty,” he said. “It’s the history of our country. Our country is built on diversity, equity and inclusion. How are you defining diversity that it has become a foul word? … When we teach equity, which means fairness if you look in the dictionary, and inclusion, if you’re not for inclusion, you’re for exclusion. How has that become a problem in our universities and colleges in this country? “

Educators express opposition

Among the 22 opponents who submitted written or in-person testimony were professors from Kansas universities and colleges.

Ian Smith, who has taught in higher education for 13 years, said the bill sends a negative message to students.

“It’s a condescending message to our students,” Smith said. “They should be able to make up their minds. Critical thinking is a paramount aspect of any philosophy class.”

He said the bill sends the message that students are not capable of coming to their own conclusions about CRT or DEI.

Kimberly Morse, who has 23 years of full-time teaching experience in higher education, also voiced strong opposition.

“I oppose HB 2438 in the strongest terms,” she said. “HB 2428 defines what is good and what is bad and what students should learn and what students shouldn’t learn. It takes away the freedom of choice. It undermines their ability to think critically; to engage in process; and (their) understanding that learning is a process. It actually undermines the title of the bill – the Freedom from Indoctrination Act. Trust students to think – they will blow you away every time.”

Ann Marie Bush can be reached by email at ann.bush@knea.org.