Welcome to Hall Pass. This newsletter will keep you involved in the discussions of driving school board politics and governance. Each week, we bring you a series of recent school board elections, as well as insightful commentary and research from around the country on the issues facing school boards in more than 13,000 school districts. We’ll also bring you the latest on school board elections and recall efforts, including candidate registration and election results.
In today’s article, you will find:
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On the issues: The debate over critical race theory and its effect on students
In this section, we plan to report, analyze, and comment on the factors that school board members consider as they prepare to provide the highest possible education in their district. See the article : UCLA Football 2022.
The definition of critical pedagogy (CRT), the place of CRT in K-12 public schools, and the presence of CRT in K-12 public schools have been subjects of debate in recent years. This section contains two perspectives on the CRT discussion in California. For more views, check out our article on the main areas of inquiry and controversy related to CRT, where we have listed 16 arguments and 46 statements related to CRT’s history, theory, and practice.
Jill Kerper Mora writes that CRT helps explain how laws and policies can promote racial inequality. Mora says CRT in schools can help students think critically about society and society and can help them meet California’s educational situation. He also says that the arguments against CRT’s ideas distort this theory to make it seem illogical.
Mark Powell says that CRT is an idea that shows that American laws and institutions are racist and were created by whites to promote their interests and control people of color. Powell says this theory groups people into groups that are oppressed by oppressors based on the color of their skin, which he says is divisive and harmful to children under the age of 16.
‘Critical Race Theory’ Is Now A Threat That Divides Straws In Our Schools | Jill Kerper Mora, The San Diego Times
“As its name suggests, CRT is a theory – a set of ideas and principles intended to explain how certain laws and policies promote racial inequality and discrimination. The purpose of CRT is to encourage critical thinking and critical analysis to overcome and correct injustice that can occur in a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse society. Educational objectives this is in line with the learning outcomes defined in the state-adopted educational standards approved by the Constitution and the State Board of Education for the essentials of American history and ethnic studies courses. Unfortunately, critical race theory is being used as a straw by opportunistic politicians and others who want to promote, rather than resolve, conflict to advance their interests. … Arguments brought up by opponents of fundamentalism are problematic since public school teachers are responsible for ensuring that their students meet academic standards. o of the government. Teachers create courses that meet the requirements of the licensing law and other legal requirements for courses in California. …
The Dangers of Teaching History Through the Lens of Critical Race Theory | Mark Powell, The San Diego Times
“The theory of special race, as understood by the 40-year-old theory, shows that institutions and laws are racist and that race itself, rather than having a biological and natural basis, is a concept based on society that is used by white people to advance their economic and political interests at the expense of people of color. This controversial doctrine should not be taught in public schools, especially to students between the ages of 6 and 16 – a time when children are forming their personalities. During these years, children take steps to become adults by developing a sense of self-respect and being themselves. … The theory of critical race suggests that American institutions, laws, and history are racist. It states that whites have placed social, economic, and legal barriers between the races in order to maintain their superior position, financially and politically. The result is not equality or justice. Instead, people are grouped. A person’s character, race, or sexuality makes you the “oppressed” or “oppressor,” a position from which you are freed when existing institutions are defeated. Proponents of hard race theory encourage those who do not subscribe to it as enemies in the fight to defeat racism. … But the essential genealogical theory is not history; it is an Arcane educational concept and should be treated as such. Teaching it can be a divisive statement in solving racial issues.”
In your district: the biggest changes in public education
School districts across the country face a variety of problems and challenges. We want to hear what is happening in your school district. Read also : Public health leaders say government response to monkey pox is not enough. Complete the short survey below – anonymously if you like – and we may share your feedback with your subscribers in an upcoming newsletter.
What is the biggest change you have seen in your time working or observing the public education system?
School board update: filing deadlines, election results, and recall certifications
Ballotpedia has previously covered school board elections in nearly 500 of the nation’s largest counties. See the article : The new program gives high school students an immersive experience in high-tech research. We are steadily increasing the number we cover with our eye on all of the more than 13,000 districts with elected school boards.
Election results from the past week
We held the next school elections in Aug. 4. Select a region to view the results.
We held the next primary school elections in Aug. 9.
Upcoming school board elections
We are holding board primaries in 24 states on August 23. Click here for a full list of states.
Texas State Board of Education discusses changes to the state’s social studies curriculum
In a meeting on August 1, the Texas State Board of Education began discussing proposed changes to social studies education—especially U.S. history—in line with Senate Bill 3. The third Senate bill, which takes effect in December 2021, prohibits teaching. what it describes as divisive ideas. Examples include promoting the idea that “one race or a man and a woman is better than another race or a man and a woman” and that “a person, because of a person’s race or a man, is racist, sexist, or oppressive, either consciously or unconsciously. “
The state board is responsible for updating the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards every eight years.
Like me. Bryan Hughes (R), who authored Senate Bill 3, spoke to the board to provide guidance on how the law works. Hughes said “the bill is not an attempt to clean up or teach our history in any way other than the truth – the good, the bad and the ugly – and the difficult things we’ve faced and the things we’ve overcome. .” Hughes also said, “Nobody is saying we don’t have systemic racism. But what we are saying is, we have made a lot of progress. We have a long way to go. But the way to get there is to come together as Americans. “
State Board of Education member Aicha Davis (D) said Senate Bill 3 was hurting the public school system: “We’re always talking about teachers leaving in groups and this is one of the reasons.” Davis said, “Teachers were afraid to teach even though the TEKS were there because of this.”
The proposed curriculum revisions are available for review on the Texas Education Agency’s website and are open to the public for comment. The Texas State Board of Education will vote on proposed changes to the curriculum in November.
Learn who sets the K-12 curriculum in public schools in the 50 states here.
Parents sue Tennessee school district over curriculum including race and gender topics
On July 8, the group Parents’ Choice Tennessee sued Williamson County school officials for allegedly violating state laws that prohibit race and gender discrimination.
Tennessee House Bill 580, approved on June 1, prohibits school districts from including material in the curriculum that depicts the United States as racist or sexist, or that causes students to feel uncomfortable because of their race or sex. Parent Choice Tennessee says the school’s English/language arts curriculum contains age-inappropriate material that discusses topics of race. The group wants the school district to completely remove the curriculum.
Trisha Lucente, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and founder of Parents’ Choice Tennessee, said she would like “a true English Language Arts curriculum that teaches phonics, classics, and doesn’t have any politics or politics.”
Jennifer Cortez, the school district’s student advocate for students of color, said, “[my] daughter went through this Civil Rights module and she didn’t even feel guilty about it. She was just sad that it happened. Meanwhile, our students of color are dealing with real harassment.”
The lawsuit was filed in Tennessee’s Twenty-First Judicial District.
Click here to learn more about responses to trends in public education reform.
Extracurricular: education news from around the web
This section contains links to recent articles related to education from the internet. If you know of a story we should be reading, reply to this email to share it with us!
Take our Candidate Connection survey to reach voters in your district
Today, we’re highlighting survey results from the November 8 Wake County Public School System school board general elections in North Carolina. Mr. Michael T. Williams is running for District 4, while Mr. Jacob Arthur is running for District 7.
Nine seats on the board are up for election.
Here’s how Williams responded to the question “What are your favorite public spaces?”
“I am anxious to see that our schools have the human, physical, financial, mechanical and other needs that are needed by the students we teach. While taxes in our area may not be as high as other areas of the state, our students are just as important and valuable as those in wealthier areas of the state. It is important to us as parents, guardians, and concerned citizens to ensure that every student in our community receives a quality education from qualified professionals, in safe and modern facilities filled with the latest information technology and educational resources. “
Click here to read some of William’s responses.
Here’s how Arthur responded to the question “Which areas of public policy do you personally like?”
“There is no reason Wake County Public Schools should not be the best in the nation. For too long, the school board has flown under the radar to implement their social agenda instead of focusing on quality education. This has led to declining reading and math skills, year after year for the past 10 years. It’s time for a change. leadership and leading in new ways by empowering parents, investing in students and supporting teachers.”
Click here to read all of Arthur’s responses.
If you are a school board candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey.
The survey has more than 30 questions, and you can choose the one you think best represents your opinion to the voters. When you complete the survey, a box with your answers will appear on your Ballotpedia profile. Your answers will also appear in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
And if you’re not running for school board, but there is an election in your area this year, share the link with your candidates and encourage them to take the survey!
