An Indiana public school has become embroiled in controversy after a school counselor reportedly sent a letter to parents giving them the option to opt their children out of Black History Month lessons.<\/p>\n
Why it matters: The Indiana case comes as some states impose new restrictionson diversity education under the guise of banning the teaching of critical race theory.<\/p>\n
How it happened: In the letter posted to Twitter, Sprunica Elementary School counselor Benjamin White wrote that he will be teaching lessons related to \"equity, caring, and understanding differences\" in the next two weeks.<\/p>\n
The latest: Brown County Schools Superintendent Emily Tracy acknowledged the letter in a message to students, families and staff on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Worth noting: The Indiana House has already passed a bill to restrict what teachers are allowed to say about race, politics and history in the classroom, IndyStar reports. The legislation is now with the state Senate.<\/p>\n
The big picture: Since last year, 14 states have imposed such restrictions through legislation, executive actions or commission votes,an Education Week analysis found.<\/p>\n
What they're saying:\"Its so anti-intellectual. Its so rigidly closed. Its almost an effort to keep people walled off from the past,\" Yale historian David Blight told Axios after hearing about the Indiana opt-out controversy.<\/p>\n
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Indiana school's reported Black History Month opt-out option draws ire - Axios<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An Indiana public school has become embroiled in controversy after a school counselor reportedly sent a letter to parents giving them the option to opt their children out of Black History Month lessons. Continue reading