Pennsylvania’s education department caves to conservative pressure, scraps ‘woke’ teaching guidelines in lawsuit settlement.
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At a Glance
- Pennsylvania Department of Education rescinds Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education guidelines
- Lawsuit claimed guidelines violated First Amendment rights and were imposed illegally
- New “Common Ground Framework” introduced, focusing on digital literacy and mental health
- Settlement seen as victory against ideological indoctrination in schools
Conservative Legal Group Triumphs Over ‘Woke’ Education Mandate
In a significant blow to left-wing ideological influence in education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has been forced to rescind its controversial Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) guidelines. This reversal comes as part of a settlement following a lawsuit filed by the Thomas More Society, a conservative legal group, on behalf of several Western Pennsylvania school districts, teachers, and parents.
The CR-SE guidelines, which critics denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to push a radical leftist agenda in schools, required teachers to reflect on their biases, challenge so-called microaggressions, and provide what they termed “equitable learning opportunities” for marginalized groups. More alarmingly, these guidelines mandated that teachers design learning experiences to question power structures and disrupt what they deemed as harmful practices—a clear attempt to indoctrinate students with a particular political viewpoint.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education agreed to reverse a progressive policy after a legal nonprofit challenged its standing in court. | @WelzAlex https://t.co/CXOPtaQX55
— National Review (@NRO) November 15, 2024
First Amendment Rights Prevail Over Government Overreach
The lawsuit argued that the PDE had overstepped its bounds by imposing these guidelines without proper rule-making processes and by including standards for specific beliefs. This blatant violation of constitutional rights was rightfully challenged, leading to a settlement that protects educators and students from government-mandated ideological conformity.
Thomas W. King III, representing the plaintiffs, aptly described the guidelines as “quite radical,” emphasizing that “You can’t regulate thought that way.” This sentiment echoes the concerns of many Americans who are increasingly alarmed by the left’s attempts to control speech and thought under the guise of diversity and inclusion.
“The public schools, teachers, and parents never had an opportunity to be heard on these issues,” King said.
A New Direction: The Common Ground Framework
In response to the settlement, the PDE has introduced a new “Common Ground Framework.” Unlike its predecessor, this framework is not mandatory and shifts focus to less contentious areas such as digital literacy, mental health, and trauma awareness. While it still encourages understanding differences in marginalized groups, it does so without the heavy-handed approach of the previous guidelines.
However, we must remain vigilant. The framework still includes elements that could be used to promote leftist ideologies, such as encouraging teachers to create “equitable learning environments” by challenging stereotypes and biases. It’s crucial that parents and concerned citizens continue to monitor how these guidelines are implemented to prevent any return to the indoctrination tactics of the CR-SE.
The Battle Continues
While this settlement is a significant victory for those fighting against the infiltration of woke ideology in our schools, it’s important to note that the fight is far from over. The settlement does not affect colleges and universities, and individual school districts can still choose to adopt the former guidelines independently. Moreover, teacher preparation programs are still required to cover culturally relevant education, albeit with changing guidelines.
As concerned citizens and parents, we must stay engaged and continue to push back against attempts to use our education system as a tool for political indoctrination. The success of this lawsuit demonstrates that when we stand up for our rights and values, we can make a difference. Let’s keep the pressure on and ensure that our schools focus on educating, not indoctrinating, the next generation of Americans.
