{"id":2338634,"date":"2024-09-09T09:52:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wa-board-of-ed-looks-to-expand-controversial-ethnic-studies-graduation-requirement-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-09T10:02:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T14:02:04","slug":"wa-board-of-ed-looks-to-expand-controversial-ethnic-studies-graduation-requirement-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wa-board-of-ed-looks-to-expand-controversial-ethnic-studies-graduation-requirement-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"WA Board of Ed looks to expand controversial ethnic studies graduation requirement &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwa-board-of-ed-looks-to-expand-controversial-ethnic-studies-graduation-requirement-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2338634&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Washington State Board\u200c of Education \u2063is\u200c considering an expansion of an ethnic\u2062 studies\u200c graduation requirement \u200cinitially established in 2021. This potential update\u200b aims to incorporate ethnic studies \u2062into the legislative agenda and \u2063the \u2063FutureReady graduation \u2064requirements initiative, which seeks to modernize educational standards. However, the proposal has sparked controversy, with some groups, like the \u200bWashington chapter \u200bof the Foundation Against Intolerance &#038; Racism (FAIR),\u200d opposing the push, \u2063arguing it promotes divisive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-lost-all-credibility-on-social-distancing-after-biden-celebrations\/\" title=\"Dems Lost All Credibility On Social Distancing After Biden Celebrations\">social justice<\/a> theories in classrooms. Critics, including a veteran teacher, expressed\u2064 concern that\u2063 the focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ethnic-studies-is-crt-peddlers-sneaky-new-way-to-stoke-racial-division-in-schools\/\" title=\"&#039;Ethnic Studies&#039;: CRT Advocates&#039; Covert Method to Fuel School Racial Discord\">ethnic \u200cstudies<\/a> could lead to an\u200d educational shift towards a socialist model\u200c and lack measurable\u200c learning\u200d standards. In\u2062 response, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/n-j-school-board-removes-holiday-names-from-school-calendar\/\" title=\"N.J. school board removes holiday names from school calendar\">board members defended<\/a> the \u2063initiative, \u200cciting\u2064 opportunities for students to learn about the diversity of their community and national history while emphasizing that ethnic studies \u200dis not about blame\u200d or indoctrination. The discussion reflects a broader tension surrounding educational reforms related \u200bto social justice and\u200d equity.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">WA Board of Ed looks to expand controversial ethnic studies graduation requirement<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1756314\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; The Washington State Board of Education is moving closer to officially updating and expanding a 2021 resolution that established an ethnic studies graduation requirement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Board members discussed &ldquo;incorporating Ethnic Studies into the legislative platform, and\/or addressing Ethnic Studies through the FutureReady graduation requirements initiative,&rdquo; according to the agenda for Thursday&rsquo;s virtual board of education meeting.<\/p>\n<p>According to the board&rsquo;s website, FutureReady &ndash; implemented this summer &ndash; is an initiative to update graduation requirements to better prepare students for the future.<\/p>\n<p>However, the increasing focus on ethnic studies in all subjects is not without controversy.<\/p>\n<p>The Washington chapter of the Foundation Against Intolerance &amp; Racism, or FAIR, has encouraged its members and supporters to speak out at board meetings in opposition to the ethnic studies push.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;SBE seems prepared to encourage more school districts to promote social justice theories and activism in K-12 classrooms through ethnic studies,&rdquo; read a mass email sent to FAIR supporters ahead of the Washington State Board of Education&rsquo;s August meeting. &ldquo;It defines the subject to emphasize &lsquo;oppressor vs. oppressed&rsquo;&rdquo; ideas as part of a push to &ldquo;dismantle white supremacy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In public testimony during Thursday&rsquo;s meeting, one longtime teacher raised concerns about the board&rsquo;s focus on ethnic studies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been a teacher for 30 years, and I&rsquo;ve traveled the world, and my cultural experiences have made me a global explorer of the world,&rdquo; Ronda Looney said. &ldquo;I found your bullet points extremely alarming, as your points of concentration focus on the educational transformation to a socialist model which does not coincide with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-homeschool-awakening-you-already-have-what-it-takes-to-homeschool-your-kids\/\" title=\"\u2018The Homeschool Awakening\u2019: You Already Have What It Takes To Homeschool Your Kids\">basic educational goals<\/a> for Washington students.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>She was referring to bullet points in an ethnic studies memo.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In my judgment, you do not have a clear standard of learning that can be measured within your criteria for assessment, especially if ethnic studies is dispersed throughout all fields of discipline,&rdquo; Looney continued. &ldquo;Your current works do not emphasize and establish practical application that teachers can implement without personal bias.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Board member Angela Griffin suggested that much of the opposition to ethnic studies is misinformed.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think there are assumptions being made about this being divisive and about blame and guilt and so forth,&rdquo; Griffin said. &ldquo;I think there&rsquo;s an opportunity to ensure that every student and even some educators will learn, and some parents and some community members will learn more about who makes up our nation and who makes up our community and what value each of us adds.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Board member Susana Reyes, superintendent of the Shoreline School District, said the board should emphasize bullet points in its ethnic studies memo that spell out what ethnic studies is not.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We hear the concerns that have been brought to us about ethnic studies, and I think it&rsquo;s really important that we emphasize every one of these points,&rdquo; Reyes said. &ldquo;These points can reassure groups of people that are concerned.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The memo states ethnic studies is not about blame or guilt, racial superiority, indoctrination, a single course or class, or a mandated curriculum.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;A key goal of Ethnic Studies is to promote anti-racism and social justice, linking movements that aim to end all forms of oppression,&rdquo; the memo goes on to say. &ldquo;It provides a space for students to explore their own identities, understand the impact of systemic racism, and consider ways to contribute to a more just and equitable society.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>As the two-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded, board member Ron Mabry asked fellow members to clarify their mission.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Who are we making a recommendation to?&rdquo; Mabry asked. &ldquo;Is our end goal to make a recommendation to our legislators?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We wanted to get input from the board on how you&rsquo;re feeling about this,&rdquo; responded Vice-chair of the Washington State Board of Education Mary Fertakis. &ldquo;Our entire platform comes back to the board, and at our October meeting we will be voting to approve and adopt that for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parents-teaching-kids-how-to-shoot-could-be-criminal-with-new-mexico-dems-bill-gun-group-warns\/\" title=\"Parents Teaching Kids How To Shoot Could Be Criminal With New Mexico Dem\u2019s Bill, Gun Group Warns\">upcoming legislative session<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Liv Finne, director of the Center for Education at the Washington Policy Center think tank, urged the board to reject the platform.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The state board should not adopt this anti-Semitic curriculum that teaches children to divide one another on the basis of race and ethnicity,&rdquo; she told The Center Square.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1756314\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1756314\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FutureReady graduation requirements initiative\u201d during a virtual meeting on Thursday. The FutureReady initiative, launched this summer, aims to revise graduation requirements to better equip students for the future. However, the heightened emphasis on ethnic studies across various subjects has sparked controversy. The Washington chapter of the Foundation Against Intolerance &amp; Racism (FAIR) has urged its members and supporters to voice their opposition at board meetings regarding the ethnic studies initiative. A mass email sent by FAIR prior to an August meeting expressed concerns that the State Board of Education (SBE) appears ready to encourage school districts to promote social justice theories and activism in K-12 education through ethnic studies, framing it around concepts of &#8220;oppressor vs. oppressed&#8221; as part of an effort to &#8220;dismantle white supremacy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>During public testimony at Thursday&#8217;s meeting, a veteran teacher voiced her apprehensions about the board&#8217;s focus on ethnic studies. Ronda Looney stated, \u201cI\u2019ve been a teacher for 30 years&#8230; I found your bullet points extremely alarming,\u201d referring specifically to aspects of an ethnic studies memo that she felt indicated a shift towards a socialist educational model that conflicts with fundamental educational objectives in Washington state. She criticized what she perceived as a lack of clear learning standards within the proposed criteria for assessment.<\/p>\n<p>Board member Angela Griffin suggested that much opposition stems from misunderstandings about ethnic studies being divisive or assigning blame and guilt. She emphasized that there is potential for all students\u2014and even some educators and parents\u2014to gain insights into their community\u2019s composition and contributions.<\/p>\n<p>Susana Reyes, superintendent of Shoreline School District and another board member, advocated for clarifying what ethnic studies does not entail in order to address concerns raised by critics effectively.<\/p>\n<p>The memo clarifies that ethnic studies is not focused on blame or guilt; it does not promote racial superiority or indoctrination nor is it limited to one specific course or mandated curriculum. Instead, it aims to foster anti-racism and social justice while providing students with opportunities to explore their identities and understand systemic racism&#8217;s effects.<\/p>\n<p>As the lengthy meeting wrapped up, Ron Mabry sought clarification regarding their mission: \u201cWho are we making a recommendation to?\u201d he asked about whether they aimed ultimately at legislative recommendations.<\/p>\n<p>Mary Fertakis, vice-chair of the Washington State Board of Education responded by indicating they were seeking input from board members before finalizing recommendations for approval at their October meeting ahead of legislative sessions.<\/p>\n<p>Liv Finne from the Washington Policy Center urged rejection of any platform promoting what she described as an anti-Semitic curriculum designed to divide children based on race and ethnicity<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2338635,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/iStock-1488384336-1024x567.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[6733,40455,40456,38399,40454],"class_list":["post-2338634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-controversy","tag-ethnic-studies","tag-graduation-requirement","tag-policy-change","tag-washington-education"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/iStock-1488384336-1024x567.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2338634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2338634"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2338634\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2338635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2338634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2338634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2338634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}