The recent Tribune editorial “Calm Down. SLO County Schools aren’t teaching children to hate white people” is a great example on how to logically and candidly respond to the absurd hysteria (in SLO County and elsewhere) that has surrounded critical race theory (CRT) since its inception 40 years ago.
A lot has changed since 1971. Most notably, this current generation (Gen Z: born 1997-2012) is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation yet and are on track to be the most highly educated (Pew 2018). Secondarily, ethnic studies (K-12 and college curriculums) have expanded into several disciplines and include multiple theories, of which CRT is one. These conversations are not difficult or accusatory. They are meaningful and productive exchanges that help students analyze how certain systems, policies, etc., have historically influenced the world they inherited and theorize possibilities for a better future.
It’s time to recognize and support teachers’ academic freedom to instruct accurately and inclusively without restriction on free and critical thinking. This generation of future leaders deserves the chance to end criticism of those deemed responsible for our humanitarian challenges and begin focusing on collectively working to abolish them.
Kimberly Gravell
Nipomo
This article appears in Aug 12-22, 2021.
I think you could be pink with purple spots and still know that Critical Race Theory is garbage curriculum.
If you are trying to convince us that “teacher’s academic freedom” is at stake, don’t bother. Indeed, our school systems are in decay. Note that in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2019, 13 urban high schools were unable to graduate a single student proficient in EITHER math or English. Oregon has just removed the requirement of proficiency tests for high school graduates, essentially claiming they are “racist.”
Does any of this sound rational to you? Russia is graduating more STEM graduates than the US. China drives its public education system to produce the absolute highest skill sets among its students.
Teachers don’t actually deserve “academic freedom” whatever that may mean. They deserve to be measured on the skill level of the graduates of their educational efforts. If there were ever a time when parents should be provided universal vouchers to select the schools which their children attend, it is today. The concept that the “State” should be free to determine your child’s education is preposterous. Those bureaucrats who control the State are far less concerned about your child’s success than his or her parents.
If Gen. Z is the ” most educated”, why was it necessary for UC and other schools to dumb down admissions by eliminating objective admissions criteria like grades and test scores, in favor of subjective “holistic” qualifications? In Oregon, they even eliminated the requirement that graduates demonstrate the ability to read and write, and do simple math. Even the Bar exam has been dumbed down so that more people can pass it. I think what this writer means, is that they are the “most indoctrinated,
“Teacher’s academic freedom”? Interesting argument. How about if I reinstate my teaching credential, get a local school to hire me teaching history or social studies, and the teach my students about the glories of the Trump administration, and instruct them in the doctrine of QAnon? Since any effort to stop me would be interfering with my “academic freedom”, I am sure that you would be OK with this.
My first thought on seeing the headline for this letter to the Editor was, ‘ Great, someone is considering the value of alternative means of educating our young people’. Like independent learning in any of it’s various forms. Learning that instills a love of learning unlike classrooms where parroting the teacher gets you a ‘star’ and thinking for yourself gets you ‘detention’.
Sadly, I was mistaken.
A teacher’s academic freedom is not at stake since the best teachers do not spout their own ideas but instead guide students to the great ideas of the past and present. Particularly, in our case, the ideas that founded this ‘nation’ as a haven for the ‘downtrodden masses’ who are my and other’s ancestors.
I think I can safely say the great ideas of today are not all great, many simply not worth considering at all.
It does not matter what evils some of our ancestors practiced as long as we understand their evil, no longer practice them and We The People strive for equality of opportunity regardless of outcome.
If every American treats every other American as an equal and reads and studies our Constitution to fully understand the proper role of government, We the People will have accomplished our purpose in founding this great nation.