{"id":5700,"date":"2022-03-02T11:38:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T11:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prichard-backup.com\/July\/2022\/03\/02\/standing-solidly-for-engaging-americas-history\/"},"modified":"2022-09-27T19:50:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T19:50:08","slug":"standing-solidly-for-engaging-americas-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prichard-backup.com\/July\/standing-solidly-for-engaging-americas-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing Solidly for Engaging America\u2019s History"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]Nearly two years ago, in June 2020, the Prichard Committee released a Call to Action for Racial Equity & Justice<\/a>. In that statement, we expressed our commitment to doubling down on a longstanding call for greater equity in education outcomes, for greater systemic and community accountability for the progress of each and every student. We committed to continuing to press policymakers to invest in adequate and equitable education \u2013 early childhood through postsecondary \u2013 and an accountability system that ensures each Kentucky student has the opportunities and the support to meet and exceed their potential.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]As part of that Call to Action, we called on all elected and appointed leaders to require competency in cultural responsiveness and implicit bias for all those working, or training to work, in the public sector.\u00a0We committed to doing the same and re-emphasized the Failure to Deliver<\/a> adequate and equitable education for students of color.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]In June 2021, in the wake of the filing of BR 60 & 69, we issued a Statement of Opposition<\/a> to outright limits on discussions regarding race, sex, gender, or religion in public school and\/or university curricula.\u00a0 Such limitations may in fact reduce the quality of education provided by our educational institutions and received by our students.\u00a0Moreover, they send the wrong message about Kentucky\u2019s progress in advancing racial equity and attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. We urged, instead, Kentucky should engage in a solutions-focused process and discussion to improve culturally relevant and inclusive education practices. Such a process is a systemic way to inform the development and revisions of our state standards and model curriculum framework which empowers students with the abilities and capacities in\u00a0KRS 158.645<\/a>\u00a0and KRS\u00a0158.6451<\/a>\u00a0needed to become informed citizens.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]As Juneteenth National Independence Day, a day dedicated to celebrating freedom from slavery neared, we drew attention to the importance of teaching our history<\/a>, underscoring the need for our students to have the opportunity to have rich discussions, particularly about our history and current events within the context of history. We encouraged leaders to help parents understand the importance of viewing historical events and current events through an historical lens, so that we are not doomed to repeat the history of our past. It\u2019s taken many years for us to improve as a country. Our students need to understand this \u2013 and understand we still have a long way to go.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]Simply put, the Prichard Committee opposes bills that restrict teaching, prohibit instructional materials, or staff development efforts based on the ideas involved.\u00a0Thus, we oppose House Bills 14<\/a> and 18<\/a> (previously BR 60 & 69), and we oppose House Bill 487<\/a> on the same basis.<\/strong>\u00a0We oppose the various ways those bills would impact teachers\u2019 certificates, district finances, or the accreditation of teacher preparation programs.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]While we also oppose Senate Bill 138<\/a>, it\u2019s important to note that it is a different kind of legislation.<\/strong>\u00a0Senate Bill 138 does not restrict teachers, prohibit texts, nor does it prohibit the types of professional development districts can use. SB 138 mandates a set of texts to be added to Kentucky\u2019s academic standards and assessments. It adds two teaching method requirements and a staff development rule and calls for instruction and materials to be consistent with a set of principles. We oppose these legislative mandates because Kentucky has an established process of standard revision set forth in Senate Bill 1 (2017) and a commitment to local decision-making for curriculum and instructional materials, where parents and local leaders can be involved in those decisions. Further,\u00a0Senate Bill 1 (2022)<\/a>\u00a0reinforces this commitment to local decision-making. SB 138 would do less harm than the House Bills, but it is still the wrong step.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]Further, we see no evidence that such bills are needed. Kentucky\u2019s careful and regular review of standards, with stakeholder engagement, is working well. The weight of legislation should address well-demonstrated Kentucky problems that seek to improve education outcomes. These proposed pieces of legislation do not address a well-established need.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text animation=”fadeIn”]The Prichard Committee:<\/p>\n