The Southern Poverty Law Center’s reach into America’s education system is far broader than many parents may realize, according to a new report that says the organization’s social justice curriculum is being used to train future teachers in colleges across the country.
The report, released by education watchdog Defending Education, examined 100 colleges of education and found the SPLC’s Learning for Justice program—formerly known as Teaching Tolerance—and its Social Justice Standards embedded in teacher preparation programs spanning 38 states.
Researchers said the materials appear in required coursework, teacher candidate handbooks, student-teaching evaluations, lesson planning assignments, departmental frameworks and professional development programs.
According to the report, the standards are incorporated into courses covering topics such as “Equity, Access, and Anti-bias Education,” “Teaching for Social Justice,” “Critical Consciousness,” and “Socially Just Teachers.”
“It is quite clear that the SPLC’s programming has more than a trivial impact on education,” Defending Education Director of Research Rhyen Staley said.
“Pre-service teachers should not be forced to adhere to or promote politically charged ideologies to obtain a degree. Furthermore, students and their families deserve an educational experience that is free of political bias and promotes balanced viewpoints.”
The report argues colleges of education wield enormous influence because they shape the next generation of K-12 teachers and school administrators.
Researchers also contend many universities do not openly disclose their use of the SPLC’s materials, alleging that references to the curriculum are often found behind faculty login portals rather than on publicly accessible webpages.
“Because COEs are the primary institutions responsible for preparing future K-12 classroom teachers, as well as the continuing education of present teachers and administrators, they play a major role in what content, materials, ‘best practices,’ and perspectives shape educators,” the report states.
The findings arrive as the Southern Poverty Law Center faces increasing scrutiny in Washington.
The report notes that Congress and federal investigators have recently intensified their focus on the organization, while also pointing out that the SPLC has previously labeled Defending Education an “extremist” group.
Defending Education argues the curriculum has worked its way into K-12 classrooms indirectly by first becoming embedded in teacher training programs that help shape how future educators approach instruction.
Full report over at Fox News:
Scope of SPLC's deeply embedded influence training teachers nationwide uncovered in sweeping report https://t.co/BC5lEi6jM5 #FoxNews
— TheRightSnark (@JinxOfWV) July 10, 2026
