The ultra-conservative movement is moving closer to adding Louisiana to the list of states whose early childhood education standards have been updated to remove what they see as policies that further indoctrinate children with viewpoints they oppose.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) committee approved a revised early childhood policy without discussion on Tuesday after hearing input from supporters and opponents of the change. The update is backed by an organization considered by some to be radical and is likely to be approved at Wednesday's BESE meeting.
BESE has eight new members who started in January. Republicans currently have a majority of 11 members, including three elected by the governor and eight elected district representatives.
The expected vote to adopt far-right early childhood education standards is likely to be the first of many, as it will bring parental rights, school choice and other conservative positions in the education platform. This was with the blessing of Republican Governor Jeff Landry, who has been promoting the
The changes aim to increase the focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) in early childhood education for children from birth to four years old. Its elements cover how children learn about themselves and interact with others, and critics say it serves as an entry point for topics such as racial justice, social justice, fairness etc.
Paige Rowley, an education advocate with the Baton Rouge chapter of Moms for Liberty, spoke to BESE members in support of removing SEL standards from the state's early education policy. Adhering to such standards “blends politics and education,” she said, resulting in young children being “psychologically programmed to be agents of change.”
Moms for Liberty members have rallied at school board meetings across the country in recent years to push public education policy far to the right. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, has labeled Moms for Liberty “extremists” groups supporting book bans and opposition to LGBTQ+ and racially inclusive education.
To support her argument, Ms. Lowry read a letter to the committee from an education policy analyst. carol haynesnoted that white children are made to feel guilty through SEL and embrace radical LGBTQ+ philosophies.
Haynes describes SEL as “ vehicle It is used to bring critical race theory into schools. ”
Critical race theory (CRT), often a target of conservatives, views racism and racial prejudice in terms of their impact on society, laws, and other institutions. Although critical race theory is not a subject taught in early education or K-12 classes, critics of critical race theory try to prevent it from being applied to topics such as history. I've been fighting. CRT proponents argue that American history is being whitewashed to hide unpleasant aspects such as slavery and its legacy, Jim Crow laws, without considering race.
BESE members approved replacing references to SEL in state early education standards with “interpersonal skills,” but opponents of the change argued the term was too vague. Generally, such skills include oral communication, active listening, and problem solving.
Derrick Toops teaches child development at a community college in Louisiana and served on the committee that recommended the standards to BESE. In a letter to board members, he said the SEL guidelines based on his research do not. “‘It’s bad for children’ as propounded by pro-freedom moms and other standards opponents.”
In an email exchange with The Illuminator, Topps said that social and emotional development in the classroom can be helped by “teachers reading books such as Dr. Seuss's 'My Many Colored Days,' “This could include helping children learn the names of different emotions such as anger and rage.” Happiness, frustration, excitement. Teachers can also help students resolve disagreements by modeling conflict resolution language and by giving them space to take a deep breath, stomp their foot, or explain why they're angry. , he added, can also help you calm down after getting angry.
“Removing or weakening social and emotional development from these standards is like taking a leg off a dining room table and ensuring that Louisiana's children get their nutrition at the table, not from the floor.” You have a right,” Toops said.
Belinda Davis was appointed by former Governor John Bel Edwards when BESE adopted social and emotional learning components as part of its early childhood education principles. He appeared before the board Tuesday to oppose the change, noting that the standards, which were introduced just last fall, were developed by a group of experts based on nationally recognized best practices. .
Since then, views on SEL have changed and “now it's a boogeyman trying to brainwash kids,” Davis said.
Get the morning headlines delivered to your inbox