Friday, March 29th, 2024 Church Directory

Letter to the Editor

TO THE EDITOR:

Should parents or political appointees determine what children learn in school? Political appointees are rewriting the social studies standards, as required by law.  But this law does NOT go through the Legislature.  The committee sends the final report to the commissioner who initiates the rule-making process. Although there are no academic tests for social studies, K-12 students must earn credits towards graduation. The 32-page first draft promotes critical race theory and social justice agendas instead of traditional historical inquiry through examination of historical events. Students will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance—learn it’s only one symbol of patriotism.  Students will not learn of the American Revolution, Civil War, world wars, the Holocaust, historic leaders like Washington and Jefferson.  Students will learn of the contributions of immigrants, but not of Germans and Scandinavians (colonizers, white privilege) who settled in Minnesota. Instead, students will learn of climate change, systemic racism, gender identity and equity, white privilege-Christianity-capitalism as determiners of success, 13th/14th/15th amendments as means to perpetuate discrimination, freedom and democracy as defined by victims of discrimination.Contact: mde.commissioner@state.mn.us or mail: Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN  55113. Send letters and emails now.  Make your voice heard.    

Barry VanBuren

Clearwater, MN