Republican Lawmakers Target "Woke" Curriculum in Education Hearing
WASHINGTON D.C. — A U.S. House education panel stirred controversy on Wednesday as Republican lawmakers condemned what they labeled "woke" curriculum in schools, particularly focusing on critical race theory (CRT). This hearing brought the subject back to the forefront of the ongoing culture wars over public education.
Although CRT is predominantly taught in higher education, GOP members of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education asserted that its principles are seeping into K-12 education. Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean criticized schools for focusing on "race-inspired ideology" rather than addressing the educational setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He warned that CRT is altering how youth perceive their identities and how they relate to each other and their nation.
Conversely, Rep. Jahana Hayes, a former public school history teacher, challenged the notion that CRT is affecting K-12 curriculum, asserting she never encountered it during her professional training. “It is a legal theory taught in law school,” she stated, questioning its relevance to the hearing.
Standout testimony came from Ian Rowe, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who cited examples of teaching practices purportedly influenced by CRT, although he did not provide specific instances.
Civics education also emerged as a key topic, with witnesses highlighting a concerning lack of civic knowledge among college students. Jed Atkins from the University of North Carolina emphasized the urgency of educating citizens for a thriving democracy.
In contrast, Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici turned the conversation towards school funding and infrastructure, advocating for investment in physical and digital environments critical for student learning, stating that many schools are outdated and unsafe.
The contentious hearing underscores the deepening divide in education policy and the role of ideology in shaping young minds.
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