Ethnic Studies Working Group: A Failure on All Fronts By Senator Jason Rarick

The controversial Ethnic Studies Working Group recently released a number of recommendations for the Department of Education (MDE) to consider when moving forward with Ethnic Studies curriculum. These include requirements for teaching “anti-racist” policies to encourage kids as young as kindergarten that white supremacy as inherent to American life. The report is over 60 pages long and provides instruction suggestions for grades Kindergarten through 5, 6 through 8, and 9 through 12. The report suggests that in addition to new courses, districts should also integrate Ethnic Studies into existing courses.

In my opinion, this group has been a failure on all fronts. Not only did they fail to adhere to their self-imposed deadlines, but they also have used the group’s role as a way to push a radical curriculum that divides students, rather than working to teach all facets of history, both the good and the bad. I’m also disappointed there was not adequate time for public input. The fact is that our teachers and administrators understand the best way to implement curriculum changes, and parents deserve to understand exactly what their kids could be learning in the classroom. Controversial changes such as the ones they suggested deserve ample time for input.

I’m also concerned that the report touches on budgetary constraints felt by districts and schools across the state, but suggests this should not be an “excuse.” The working group states in the conclusion of the report: “Every district and charter across the state has budgetary constraints. However, these constraints should not be an excuse to avoid the implementation of Ethnic Studies. Budgetary decisions speak to the values and priorities of districts and charters: if they do not value Ethnic Studies, it will be evident in their budgetary priorities… Districts and charters should also consider hiring new teachers who do have a background in Ethnic Studies.”

Schools across the state have already told us that their budgets are in the red and they are being forced to make budget cuts – they cannot afford these sweeping changes just to appease a controversial working group’s suggestions, and it’s troubling that the group would suggest imposing yet another “unfunded mandate” on schools that frankly can’t afford it.

The main issue that should be focused on is the fact that kids in Minnesota are not meeting learning standards. Less than 50% of students are proficient in math, science, and reading. We want to set our kids up for success in the future, and to do that, we need to put their needs first and focus on getting them up to speed. Now is not the time push divisive agendas in our classrooms.

If MDE moves forward with these proposed changes, it’s incredibly important that there is ample opportunity for public input. Parents, teachers, and administrators deserve a chance to weigh in before this process goes any further because they are the ones who work with students every day and they are the ones who understand the needs of kids and our schools. For the sake of students, we need full transparency before this process goes any further.