HAYESVILLE, NC – Some members of Clay County spoke out against Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools and the new social studies standards.

Three different parents and grandparents expressed concerns over the direction of state standards and curriculum.

David Johnson who gave a 10-minute presentation of the issues, cited conservative think-tank, Fordham Institute, researching about the new social studies and history curriculum. According to Fordham, North Carolina’s new civics and history standards are “inadequate” and “organization is poor throughout.” The organization recommended a rewrite of the standards.  The U.S. History standards were assigned an “F.”

According to the Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina has never received a score higher than a “D” from the institute.

State Superintendent Truitt had frustrations with how the standards are laid out and believes they need to focus on certain individuals and events in history, not concepts. She also was displeased with the thematic rather than chronological focus.

Johnson also spoke about the 1619 Project and CRT, “We believe in and support the teachings of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream that people should not be judged based on the color of their skin, but on the content of your character…CRT believes that racism advanced the interest of whites, and whites are incapable of righteous actions on race and only undo racism when it benefits them. Consequently, CRT divides America into two groups, the oppressor which are whites, and the oppressed which are blacks and people of color.”

Some local parents are concerned the tenants in CRT will filter into Clay County Schools, not necessarily under the name of CRT, but under another guise. They ask that the Clay County Board of Education stand against racist and Marxist indoctrination.

CRT first appeared in law schools 40 years ago and does examine systemic racism. Within the theory, race is treated as a social construct, and racism isn’t just a personal bias but engrained in organizations.  CRT scholars attempt to understand how systemic racism affects its victims.

Superintendent Dale Cole had previously prepared a presentation on the new standards for the board before people asked to speak.

Before launching into the presentation, Cole stated that as a private citizen he “concurred with all the concerns he heard here tonight.”

Still as a Superintendent and school system, “state standards are state standards,” and the board’s only influence on standards is as private citizens. People can contact Senator Corbin, Representative Gillespie, Governor Cooper, and Superintendent Truitt.

The new standards were intended to go into effect last year, but the political environment stalled the installation of the standards. The new social studies curriculum went through several iterations and two state board of education votes before final approval in Spring of 2021.

“The state does not provide a curriculum. Curriculum is a local board of education authority along with the teachers and principals,” Cole explained. He added it would be unfair to teachers to move forward on the new standards until they’ve had time to study them.”

Cole also believed that everything at the state level is still being decided and could change. It turned out the Clay County Superintendent was correct because on August 4, Superintendent Truitt announced he would ask the State Board of Education to revise how the state sets standards.

The move won’t affect the new social studies or existing standards.

For now, Clay County Schools will continue with the 2010 social studies standards. This policy is par for the course for Clay County Schools. They also announce any new curriculum units for public review and feedback at least 30 days before adopting the new measures.

North Carolina doesn’t have a statewide test for social studies so that provides school systems more leeway with curriculum in the classroom.

https://youtu.be/OR9Wn9Rw9kw