Among the bills signed on Thursday was HB 1084, Known as the Student Protection First Act. The law defines “divisive notions” as, among other things, those that teach “the United States of America is fundamentally racist; the individual, by virtue of his race, is inherently or consciously racist or oppressive toward members of other races,” and “the individual, Only by virtue of his race does he bear individual responsibility for acts committed in the past by other members of the same race.”

The law is part of a broader movement by conservative lawmakers across the country to limiting how race is taught and discussed in schools, With proponents of such measures arguing that the ban is intended to ensure that parents have a final say in their children’s education.

“Whether you are white, black, Hispanic or Asian – most parents want their children to learn history the way they learn math – as accurately as possible,” Andrea Young, the group’s executive director, said in a statement.

“My son should be able to go to his school library and find books that reflect what his family looks like, just like any other student in Georgia,” Amanda Lee, a parent and teacher and president-elect of the Georgia Media Association, said at a separate news conference Thursday to oppose the bills. . “Brian Kemp today is signing several laws that will take away students’ rights. They will have a chilling effect on education throughout Georgia and limit the free exchange of ideas that prepares our students for college and jobs.”

Kemp also signed HB 1178, better known as the “Parental Rights Act,” which provides greater transparency to parents and legal guardians regarding what their students study, and SB 226, which bans literature or books considered offensive in nature from school libraries.

“Unfortunately, there are those outside our state and other members of the General Assembly who have chosen partisan politics over common sense reforms for our students and parents,” the governor said Thursday.

“Self-serving politicians who serve a large section of their party base are showing that they are willing to hurt vulnerable children who just want to play with their friends,” she added.