Anderson Community School recently issued the following announcement.
Anderson Community Schools (ACS) and the Anderson Federation of Teachers (AFT) oppose HB 1134, HB 1040, and other bills that would have a negative impact on public education in Indiana
As a public school corporation and teachers union, historically, we have been very selective about publicly opposing proposed legislation. Several bills brought forward each legislative session either change dramatically or are never passed. With that said, while Senate Bill 167 is now dead, we felt it necessary to join our counterparts from around the state to publicly oppose bills HB 1134 and HB 1040 that are both still currently making their way through the Indiana legislature.
To understand these bills you first need to know why they are being introduced. HB 1134 and HB 1040 are largely fueled by the fear and misinformation that has circulated nationwide about Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). It has led to heated debates at school board meetings across the country, countless hours of content on talk radio, and even a skit on Saturday Night Live.
As entertaining as this topic might be at times for the mainstream media, Indiana State Superintendent Dr. Katie Jenner ended any uncertainty in Indiana about CRT last year when she explained no K-12 school in the state teaches it. And, while only recently becoming a familiar term outside of educational circles, SEL has been embedded into curriculum for decades as a way to help students better succeed both in and out of the classroom.
On their face, these bills appear reasonable. HB 1134 focuses on providing greater transparency by requiring schools to post educational activities and curricular materials online. HB 1040 limits the teaching of any material or concept that is deemed obscene or harmful to minors. However, as you begin to read these bills more closely, you start to understand the negative impact it would have on teachers and school corporations across the state. In fact, these bills do nothing more than put more administrative burden on teachers and school corporations.
We agree that transparency is important. Parents, guardians, and community members have a right to know what is being taught in their local schools. And, guided closely by Indiana Academic Standards, the curriculum and concepts being taught at ACS and other school corporations across the state are very consistent with what is outlined by the Indiana Department of Education and can be found online. That is why ACS and the AFT agree with many others that these bills go “way too far” and “aren’t necessary”.
Indiana lawmakers need to focus on the bigger picture. Now more than ever, as we face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, addressing student learning loss, and dealing with teacher and staff shortages, we must continue to place our trust and support behind our educators and local school corporations. The same individuals and institutions we have entrusted for generations with preparing our students not just for a college or a career after graduation, but with becoming productive members of society, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.
We urge the Anderson community to contact Representative Terri Austin, Senator Tim Lanane and Senator Mike Gaskill. Let your voices be heard in support of the students, teachers, and staff at Anderson Community Schools and other school corporations throughout the state by opposing HB 1134 and HB 1040.
You can find more information on HB 1134 and HB 1040, and other proposed education legislation on the Indiana General Assembly’s website.
Original source can be found here.
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