The Not-So-Silent Siege: Destroying Public Education in America
The Rise of Attacks on Public Education
Issue #376 Education August 2, 2023
As many of you know, I am a retired educator of all grades from Pre-K through university levels, primarily middle school and high school. My own education from kindergarten through my Master's Degree was also through public schools and public universities.
For several years, the right wing has worked to decimate the American public school systems and replace them with private schools (that are financed with public taxes) with a strong conservative philosophy.
Never forgetting that schools were deliberately kept separate and unequal until the middle of the 20th century, it is still important to remember that when the United States started providing education in public schools to (almost) everyone in about 1840, most other countries only regularly educated the rich and well-connected. Offering free public education, first through 8th grade, and then through high school, raised the literacy rate in America to one of the highest in the world.
The public schools are supposed to serve everyone and represent everyone. Recently, however, conservatives have been claiming that public education is "indoctrinating" and "grooming" children with "liberal ideas," all while they are trying to indoctrinate and groom children with conservative ideology.
From erasing Black History to book bans, uncredited curricula, library closings, and threats against teachers, professors, and librarians, these latest assaults on public education demand immediate attention and unwavering action from all of us.
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1. Erasing Black History:
One of the most troubling aspects of these attacks is the deliberate erasure of Black History from educational curricula. By neglecting to teach the struggles, contributions, and achievements of Americans of African descent, a narrative is perpetuated that marginalizes an entire community, denying generations of all races the knowledge needed to combat systemic racism.
The recent controversy surrounding Florida's new middle and high school curriculum has ignited a heated debate about the representation of slavery in American history. Critics argue that the curriculum downplays the history of slavery by using language that suggests slaves benefitted from their skills. This attempt to justify slavery is seen as deeply problematic, as it disregards the immense suffering and dehumanization endured by the enslaved.
In Texas, the State Board of Education has faced widespread criticism for downplaying slavery as a cause of the Civil War, omitting key figures like Frederick Douglass, and whitewashing the contributions of Black Americans throughout history.
2. Book Bans:
The rise of book bans in educational institutions is a concerning trend that deliberately inhibits student access to valuable knowledge and diverse perspectives. By censoring literature that explores sensitive topics, represents various demographics, or challenges societal norms, we stifle critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to engage in open dialogue. Book bans limit students' intellectual growth, hindering their ability to develop into well-rounded, informed citizens.
The 1,477 instances of book bans PEN America tracked in the 2022-2023 school year affected 874 unique titles. Book bans continue to target books featuring LGBTQ+ themes or LGBTQ+ characters, characters and authors of color, and books on race and racism. Many schools are also banning “The Diary of Anne Frank” because, as a 14-year-old girl, she talked about the effects of starting her period.
3. Uncredited Curricula:
The recent adoption of uncredited curricula from conservative organizations is threatening the messages of truth and accuracy needed to give students a well-rounded education based on facts and evidence. The promotion of biased or incomplete information not only distorts historical events but also undermines the development of critical thinking skills, leaving students ill-prepared to navigate the complexities of the world.
In Florida (again), the PragerU Foundation is a right-wing nonprofit that is providing a skewed set of videos intended to provide a free alternative to "dominant left-wing ideology." One of the videos I saw featured a cartoon version of Frederick Douglass saying that slavery wasn't that bad and that Black people should be grateful to whites for their freedom.
Other states have adopted textbooks that downplay the impact of climate change or present it as a controversial theory, despite overwhelming scientific consensus.
4. Library Closings:
Libraries provide resources to students, teachers, and the wider community. The closure of public libraries deprives students, teachers, and the general public of a key source of information they rely on for research and learning.
The closures disproportionately affect low-income communities, as these libraries are often the only resources available to those without access to Wi-Fi or who lack the funds to purchase books.
For the upcoming school year, all of the school libraries in the Houston Intermediate School District will be closed and turned into "discipline centers."
5. Threats Against Educators:
The attacks on public education extend beyond curricula and resources. Teachers, professors, and librarians face threats, intimidation, and pressure to conform to political agendas. This hostile environment not only discourages educators from entering the field but also compromises academic freedom and the quality of education provided to students. Teachers and professors are leaving the education profession in droves, further depriving all students of a good public education.
The Supreme Court of Arkansas recently put a hold on a law recently signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that would put teachers and librarians in jail if they did not eliminate or remove books deemed "offensive" by a group of conservative activists.
What We Must Do
The recent attacks on public education in America pose a severe threat to our society's intellectual and moral fabric. By erasing Black History, imposing book bans, promoting uncredited curricula, closing libraries, and intimidating educators, we compromise the holistic growth and development of our future generations.
It is imperative that we recognize the consequences of these attacks and take urgent action to defend and strengthen public education.
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