No new teachers sign the pledge the week before. It now has three pledges from Andover teachers by the end of the week ending Jan. 15.
They’re one of the thousands of US teachers pledging to continue educating students about the controversial Critical Race Theory, which explains racism is embedded in US culture and politics.
Comments from new Andover teachers included “I believe that teachers are professionals and should have the freedom to teach history that includes multiple voices and perspectives.” and “We must tell the whole story”.
Though the concept was first suggested in the late 70’s, it has recently exploded as a contentious issue between the American right and left in the last two years.
Many who signed the pledge are defying state bans on the teachings. Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and South Dakota, have denounced the teachings without passing specific legislation.
In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon, Ashley Varner of the Freedom Foundation accused the Zinn Education Project of providing “left-leaning propaganda to teachers.”
| Teachers | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Ilhan Avcioglu | It is important for teachers/educators to be given the freedom to teach true history, not the kind that textbooks create to sugarcoat events and make them more palatable for the general public. |
| Ilhan Avcioglu | I believe that teachers are professionals and should have the freedom to teach history that includes multiple voices and perspectives. |
| Mary Robb | We must tell the whole story |
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