U.S. Dept. of Education issues proposed rule prioritizing Critical Race Theory Curriculum in K-12 schools
Public comment on Federal rule accepted until May 19
by State Superintendent Jillian Balow
May 4, 2021
MAY 4, 2021 - Below is a SPECIAL STATEMENT from Wyoming State Superintendent Jillian Balow on Proposed U.S. Department of Education Rule Prioritizing Critical Race Theory Curriculum in K-12 Schools
STATE SUPERINTENDENT JILLIAN BALOW'S STATEMENT ON PROPOSED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RULE PRIORITIZING CRITICAL RACE THEORY CURRICULUM IN K-12 SCHOOLS
CHEYENNE - The U.S. Department of Education has proposed priorities for American History and Civics Education grant programs published in the Federal Register. Those priorities include encouraging districts to use curriculum related to divisive author Ibram X. Kendi and the New York Times "1619 Project." This is an alarming move toward federal overreach into district curriculum and should be rebuked across party lines.
The draft rule is an attempt to normalize teaching controversial and politically trendy theories about America’s history. History and civics should not be secondary to political whim. Instead, history and civics instruction should engage students in objective, non-partisan analyses of historical and current events. For good reason, public schools do not promote particular political ideologies or religions over others. This federal rule attempts to break from that practice and use taxpayer dollars to do just that.
America needs to update and renew our expectations for teaching and learning about history and civics. Every school board, state legislature, and state superintendent should be working to build local consensus about what should be taught and what materials to use in classrooms. Every family should be engaged in activities that ensure the rising generation is properly prepared to be informed citizens. Every student deserves a rich and engaging education about America’s triumphs, treacheries, losses, and victories. Our touchstone is our shared principle that all Americans have infinite value and individual freedom and responsibility. We must strive to find common goals and values as a nation, not tear each other and our country apart.
The proposed federal rule is open for public comment until May 19 and can be accessed here Proposed Priorities – American History and Civics Education, or by using the Google search for "Federal Register American history and civics education." I intend to comment, and I urge you to research the issue and comment if compelled.
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Editor’s Note: Critical Race Theory asserts that there is broad societal racism due to white supremacy and is supported by the power of law as a social construction. Studies along this line examine social, cultural and legal issues focusing on the belief there is inherent racism in our society and ingrained social injustice problems and cultural assumptions related to alleged white supremacy.
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