The state of Alabama apparently wants to tightly narrow what its education system can teach when it comes to discussing race in public schools.

On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced the ouster of Barbara Cooper, who served as secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, over the use of a teacher training book that deals with race, the Associated Press reports.  Ivey characterized the book as having “woke concepts” because it includes language about structural racism and inclusion.

Cooper received instructions from the governor’s office “to disavow the book and to immediately discontinue its use,” the AP said. While it was unclear how Cooper responded to the order, Ivey’s office did accept her resignation.

“Let me be crystal clear: Woke concepts that have zero to do with a proper education and that are divisive at the core have no place in Alabama classrooms at any age level, let alone with our youngest learners,” said Ivey in a statement.

In a press release from the governor’s office, several examples such as LGBTQ issues being taught to 4-year olds, white privilege, and that “the United States is built on systemic and structural racism” were listed as reasons why the book will not be permitted. But in reviewing the book, the AP said the book talks about working against bias and making sure that all children were accepted.

Ivey did not identify the book by name, but a statement from her spokesperson identified it as the  National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book, 4th edition, the AP reported  

“For nearly four decades, and in partnership with hundreds of thousands of families and educators, Developmentally Appropriate Practice has served as the foundation for high-quality early childhood education across all states and communities,” the organization’s statement read. “While not a curriculum, it is a responsive, educator-developed, educator-informed, and research-based resource that has been honed over multiple generations to support teachers in helping all children thrive and reach their full potential.”

But Ivey’s move was also met with criticism from educators who feel that it goes too far.

“I’m really disappointed,” Richard Franklin, American Federation of Teachers Birmingham President, told local station WTVM. “When I saw the term ‘woke,’ I started laughing because—around the country—it’s interesting how they’re trying to turn the word “woke” saying liberals and different stuff when that’s not what it’s about. History is history.

“It’s not something that’s being forced down our throats,” he added. “This is the fourth edition. There was a third and second edition, so it hasn’t been an issue before. Why is it an issue now?”

Ivey’s decision marks the latest instance of a growing wave of conservative lawmakers who are criticized as seeking to “whitewash” American history in public education by ignoring the country’s long history of racism against African Americans and other groups. Republicans have co-opted the idea of “wokeness” and deployed “critical race theory (CRT)” as a descriptor of any conversation regarding systematic racism.

In March, Tom Horne, Arizona’s education superintendent established a system to alert authorities if any teacher uses lessons derived from critical race theory.

According to the superintendent, teachings that deal with the topic of race are “inappropriate lessons that detract from teaching academic standards.”