Many are concerned about “Critical Race Theory” and whether or not it will have a place in our taxpayer-funded schools.
For those who are unaware, this type of curriculum has been in our schools for literal decades. It has even been part and parcel of Louisiana’s government-funded preschool settings. Since 2009, we have provided documentation of this curriculum to legislators and citizens while actively fighting against what was known more commonly as the “Anti-Bias Curriculum.”
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is responsible for the development and promotion of the Anti-Bias Curriculum on which Louisiana's Birth to Five Early Learning & Development Standards (ELDS) are, unfortunately, based.
A prime example of NAEYC's Anti-Bias Curriculum/Critical Race Theory can be found in the “Key Terms” section of the NAEYC published teacher’s manual entitled Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves in which the term “Whites” is defined as:
"A socially created ‘racial’ group who historically and currently receive the benefits of racism in the United States.”
In NAEYC’s Valuing Diversity: The Primary Years, Preschool – Kindergarten teachers are guided in developing curricula based on the following standards:
For those who are unaware, this type of curriculum has been in our schools for literal decades. It has even been part and parcel of Louisiana’s government-funded preschool settings. Since 2009, we have provided documentation of this curriculum to legislators and citizens while actively fighting against what was known more commonly as the “Anti-Bias Curriculum.”
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is responsible for the development and promotion of the Anti-Bias Curriculum on which Louisiana's Birth to Five Early Learning & Development Standards (ELDS) are, unfortunately, based.
A prime example of NAEYC's Anti-Bias Curriculum/Critical Race Theory can be found in the “Key Terms” section of the NAEYC published teacher’s manual entitled Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves in which the term “Whites” is defined as:
"A socially created ‘racial’ group who historically and currently receive the benefits of racism in the United States.”
In NAEYC’s Valuing Diversity: The Primary Years, Preschool – Kindergarten teachers are guided in developing curricula based on the following standards:
In 2011, citizens across Louisiana joined with us in winning a hard fought victory that, at one point, had brought the entire House of Representatives to a standstill when Rep. Labruzzo (R -Metairie) sponsored HR 82 (which we wrote) calling for a study designed to shine a light on this indoctrination.
In 2014 and in response to parental concerns relative to the Common Core State Standards, we authored a bill that became Act 532. This law is one of Louisiana’s solutions to curriculum concerns because it empowers our local school boards to choose curriculum, content, and methodology as they see fit, rather than being required to provide the curriculum, content, or methodology chosen by the Louisiana Dept. of Education:
Act 532 exists in our body of laws as LA RS 24.4 E (6) and provides that:
"The governing authority of each public elementary and secondary school may develop and implement curriculum, content, and methodology for required subjects for the schools under its jurisdiction in lieu of the curriculum, content, and methodology recommended by the state Department of Education or the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education."
This means that parents in Louisiana can go directly to their local school boards and demand that they direct their schools to utilize curriculum, content, and methodology that educates, rather than indoctrinates, their children. Your school boards have the authority to decide what curriculum to present to students and the manner in which to present it…and they know it.
There is no need to beg BESE to do something. There is no need to hold our breaths and wait until the legislature passes yet another bill into law.
School Boards Have The Authority NOW.
Parents In Louisiana Are Empowered NOW.
We strongly recommend that parents and teachers in Louisiana focus on addressing their local school boards.
If the school boards say that their hands are tied, show them the law!
If they refuse to change questionable content or nonsensical methodology (have you seen the math?), perhaps the change that will need to be made will be in the voting booths.