Thread by @APDillon_

The NC Board of Ed meeting is happening now.
Listen here:

#ncpol #nced

https://twitter.com/APDillon_/status/1354422759653257222

"Refinement requests" have been made.
See the full presentation doc here:
simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attac…

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Some of those refinements have to do with the inclusion of Critical Race Theory themed elements and some standards have an 'action' component.
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"Snapshot of supporting documents include terms like Racism, Identity and Discrimination.

I was able to locate supporting documents for 8th grade that included material from the biased/revisionist history Zinn Ed Project.
docs.google.com/presentation/d…
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Lt. Gov. Robinson has gotten on the call and says he does not like these standards as written. 3 minor changes are not enough.
"Overall tone" of standards are "politically charged, divisive and quite frankly smack of leftist dogma."
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Robinson: What was added doesn't really serve a purpose.
Says groups have not been excluded; recalls his own public education classes. The standards 'are not for the benefit of the students but for the benefit of those who have political agendas'.
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Robinson: Says we're trying to teach kids in 2nd grade who can't even read complex things about race and gender identity.
His vote is a "complete no" unless they are further revamped.
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Member Olivia Oxendine points out she wants to see the tone changed in the current proposed revisions - mentions the tone in upper grades being that of "America the Oppressor." That's a hallmark of Critical Race theory.
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Oxendine wants the tone to reflect "America the land of opportunity."

The standards writing team seem to be fighting changes Lt. Gov. and Oxendine are pointing out.
Says it's impt. to introduce complex elements like these in elementary school.
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Supt. Truitt: Echos thanks, agrees terms 'systemic' from racism and 'gender' from identity should be removed as they have mult. definitions and forms.
Supplemental docs are not exhaustive; districts/teachers can use whatever to support them. Problematic.
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I missed who was talking, but it's one of the DPI officials involved in the standards changes -- they said the language ( like systemic racism) was intentionally included. Says the work on these standards prepares students for leaving K-12/going into society.
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Another member jumps in, refers to meeting from last summer where students came in and said they weren't getting the kind of items proposed in the changes to the standards... con't

FWIW - That meeting had at least one white female student talk about her "white privilege" and the presentation was about “hard truths” of history
Write up here on that meeting:
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ladyliberty1885.com/2020/07/10/sta…

Member Todd Chasteen: rights of minorities are oppressed in China. Thinks there is too much negativity in these changes; finds it concerning.

Member James Ford says he is "tired" of this debate.
We are not being direct enough.
He trashes the 1776 project.
Says both sides of this argument are not equal.
Says they are not refinements, says it makes terms vaguer.
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Ford: 85% of feedback was positive, why are we debating this.
Calls Lt. Robinson's use of "divisive" as a "nebulous term"
Asks who it is divisive for then launches into a bit of diatribe on racism.
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Ford attacks American exceptionalism a bit.
Then says this is not as much as a debate as is 'the earth is flat' is a debate.
Says it is a 'very fine people' approach to racism.

WOW.

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Ford now talks about a 'violent attempted coup' on Jan. 6 and the way we don't get over that is like pretending these are not enduring dogging systemic issues.
He makes no comment about the riots that endured throughout 2020 and into 2021.
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Ford: Is there any real debate about the existence of systemic racism?

Lt. Robinson speaks up.
Ford says he wants to hear from DPI but will also hear from Robinson.
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Lt. Gov. Robinson: no one on State Board of Ed was speaking up during the riots last summer. Says that he saw people encouraging riots; says US Capitol riot came about due to prior summer riots that were allowed to happen.

Robinson rails against teaching children racism is systemic and this is a racist nation is untrue. Points to Pres. Obama's election and his own election.

Robinson: We should not be doing it (referring to standards changes) by anyone's agenda. I see it plain as day and I am not going to take it.

Ford rephrases his question if there is any debate that 'structural racism' exists. He first asked about systemic racism.

Truitt is responding for DPI.

So far:
James Ford: Govt., education, etc all systemically racist.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson: These standards are a politcal agenda push; US govt not systemically racist, not true to say US is racist.

Truitt defends refinements; does not diminish conversations about racism, gender, etc.

Ford now calls the debate a "fruitful discussion."
Says he thinks there are "100s of years of policy that hold the current reality in place."

Camnitz says the back and forth between Truitt and Ford represents the kind of convos that the standards represent.

(Yes, but these are adults - not elementary students or other K-12 kids.)
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There's some sermonizing going on now by Ms. Morris about what student identities need to be and how the standards make that happen, there has to be a "political lens."

FTR: There's been literally no convo during this mtg about the actual historical content of these standards.

Morris continues, says learning "hard truths" is "patriotic."

Her entire speech is centered on the school being responsible for teaching about topics like racism and identity, yet left parents completely out of the picture.

Vice-Chair Duncan makes a long speech about America being a good place, hard history; says we should step back and see if these standards are acceptable as is for our teachers to teach.

Board member Amy White: Question to be asked is use of word framework.

White: Questions have to be asked. Do these standards, under the framework, call the US and NC are the greatest nation and state?

White: I am not afraid of the hard convos.
Power of teacher in the classroom is powerful.
The power of social media and press is more powerful.
There is a very anti-american/capitalism sentiment out there on many media platforms.

White: Some revisions helpful, I still see an agenda that is anti-American, anti-capitalism, anti-Democracy.

Gives direct example, as was asked for earlier:
Pg 5 of 7 on AHE.1 Economics
Highlights negative slant w/ failure to list programs in place to ensure oppty for all

White: Our nation is better together than divided.
Says we shouldn't allow 'creeping in' of negativity (like those seen in these social studies revisions) towards our country.

The meeting moves on to the Biz operations portion of the meeting. Discussion of the social studies standards revisions has ended. Voting will take place after any other new biz.
simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/Vi…

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And the vote will be next week.
Here is the recap from today:
nsjonline.com/article/2021/0…