After listening to hours of work sessions, board meetings and both townhalls hosted by the Anchorage School District last month, I do not support the proposed policies on anti-racism and instructional equity which are being considered by the Anchorage School Board. Both policies are based on critical race theories and post-modern thought regarding knowledge, language and power structures.
I respectfully request that the board pause to educate and participate in professional development around this topic. There is clearly ignorance on the part of school board members around these false ideologies and theories. These policies will devastate our schools and harm our children.
I urge a laser focus on academics. If the school district continues to ignore the primacy and fundamental rights of parents to direct the upbringing of our children and persists in pushing these policies forward, they should, at the very least, delay action to allow further research and discussion.
We already have many policies that deal with actions surrounding racism – like nondiscrimination and harassment, bullying and zero tolerance discipline. We simply need to practice existing policies.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
If the school board feels something must be written, perhaps a zero-toleration administrative regulation could be issued instead of a new board policy. The regulation could simply state that the board rejects racism, and that it will work with the superintendent to champion a districtwide culture that values and respects the diversity and life experiences of all stakeholders in supporting the district’s mission, vision, core value, goals and guardrails.
Regarding “equity instruction,” the board could simply state that it believes in the equal access to instructional opportunities for all students, and that it recognizes that having equal access to opportunities improves individual academic achievement and overall district performance. The board could pledge to work to support local schools, to adopt and implement effective procedures and processes that identify, communicate and eliminate barriers to various instructional opportunities so that all students can access them equally. To ensure equal access to opportunities and subsequent improvement of academic proficiency goals are being achieved, the superintendent could report to the board regarding inputs and outcomes of school procedures as part of the board’s goals and guardrails monitoring.
TAKING ACTION
- Click here to contact members of the Anchorage School Board.
- Call (907) 742-1101 to leave a message for school board members.
- Click here for information on how to participate in the April 6 school board meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.
The views expressed here are those of the author.
5 Comments
Good for you, Annie. Little if anyting in this curriculum is the purpose of education. Teaching our Western Civilization values and academics is the purpose. Raising up good citizens who believe in God, have a good work ethic and serve others are principle purposes for our schools. Our schools need to back our parents, grandparents and communities. Watch Running to the Roar by David Barton, Wallbuilders. We need to be building walls not tearing them down which is what the unions are worrking to do.
Which values?
We used to have slavery? Hopefully not that even though it says it’s okay in the Bible.
We used to have segregation? Is that the values we need back?
Which god? I’m guessing just your faith and no one else’s…
What walls do we need in Alaska ?
And I guess you’re also saying we need to get rid of all unions ?
Is this what all Alaskans want ?
“ There is clearly ignorance on the part of school board members around these false ideologies and theories.” — Annie Massey
Anyone have the parts that are false?
Anyone have this information?
No one ever seem to say what the lies are that they are trying push
They don’t even stand by the “no tolerance” and anti bullying. 6 years ago when my daughter went to Mears some kid shoved her and slammed the door of her locker on her hand. I received the call from the school nurse who said “I don’t think her fingers are broken”….mind you, our daughter was on a competitive dance team due to travel for a competition in a month. I told my husband what the nurse told me so he raced to the school. Mind you, he was pissed and I feel we had a right to be. He walked in and asked where is my daughter and what are you doing about this! The principal heard him and came out of his office and responded “oh, you must be _____’s dad” to which my husband asked what was going on with finding out who did this to our daughter. The principal at that time responded “well, you know your daughter does kinda stand out…” . Blatantly stating or insinuating that because our daughter was beautiful that it should be expected…….this person should NEVER have been a principal. My point….people of higher power need to be held to higher standards and parents complains are not being heard because we complained…LOUDLY and were not heard because this was not the only issue we had at this school
I’ve read the article and responses and feel confident in saying none here know what Critical Race Theory is. CRT is taught in college level law classes. It’s not being taught in-Alaska because Alaska does not have a law school. Y’all making a bunch of noise about what you fear will tell the truth about American history. The reason slavery has been whitewashed from history is it’s a horror story that makes Germany’s WWII seemed short lived by comparison. Americans need to bring themselves up to speed on the history. One of the earliest industries to stabilize the dollar and build global wealth was the US slave industries. Fast cash loans, rent to own, wombs and mother’s milk all commodities in industry. Americans need to be honest with themselves about our history. Slavery was an engine that made folks mega wealthy. It trended for centuries until people decided to die at war in hopes they’d not have to pay wages to laborers.