An elementary school in an Indiana town is allowing parents to opt their children out of lessons relating to Black History Month.
According to a letter from school counselor Benjamin White at Sprunica Elementary School in Nineveh, Indiana, parents are encouraged to allow their students to receive “lessons related to equity, caring, and understanding differences,” noting that studies have shown students with a “greater understanding of diversity in the classroom and outside world will demonstrate improved learning outcomes.”
However, the letter also provides a form at the bottom for parents if they don’t want their children taking part.
https://twitter.com/littlewhitty/status/1493737091854999552
After criticism on social media about the letter, the Brown County School District issued a press release responding to concerns.
“We are gathering more information on the matter. In the meantime, know that we support teaching about the facts in our history including historical injustices,” Brown County Schools Superintendent Emily Tracy said.
The district also posted a Facebook message regarding the letter.
“Our district supports teaching about the facts in our history including historical injustices,” the post read. “We are and will continue to be committed to having compassion for all and supporting an education community that will allow all students, staff, families and community members the opportunity to feel welcome.”
The controversy over Brown County Schools is happening at the same time as another statewide controversy is unfolding. Right now, legislation entitled House Bill 1134, which would put strict limits on what teachers could teach, is making its way through the Indiana state legislature.
The bill has been watered down somewhat, as it originally required teachers to provide a full year of their detailed lesson plans to parents, something that many educators said would lead to them leaving the state or the profession. But even with those changes made, restrictions remain on what teachers could say or discuss in the classroom — including expressing an opinion on topics like fascism or Nazism, or teaching lessons that could cause “discomfort” for students on topics of race or gender.
“Instead of stifling tough conversations in the classroom, we should trust educators as professionals to provide students with an education that enables them to learn from the mistakes of our past and to help us all to create a better future,” said Keith Gambill, president of the Indiana State Teachers Association. “Even in improved form, HB 1134 still feeds divisiveness and the politicization of our public schools.”
We’re resisting Trump’s authoritarian pressure.
As the Trump administration moves a mile-a-minute to implement right-wing policies and sow confusion, reliable news is an absolute must.
Truthout is working diligently to combat the fear and chaos that pervades the political moment. We’re requesting your support at this moment because we need it – your monthly gift allows us to publish uncensored, nonprofit news that speaks with clarity and truth in a moment when confusion and misinformation are rampant. As well, we’re looking with hope at the material action community activists are taking. We’re uplifting mutual aid projects, the life-sustaining work of immigrant and labor organizers, and other shows of solidarity that resist the authoritarian pressure of the Trump administration.
As we work to dispel the atmosphere of political despair, we ask that you contribute to our journalism. Over 80 percent of Truthout’s funding comes from small individual donations from our community of readers, and over a third of our total budget is supported by recurring monthly donors.
You can help by giving today. Whether you can make a small monthly donation or a larger gift, Truthout only works with your support.