As the House debated a Republican bill that would unleash a flood of racist, far right abuse on schools and children across the U.S., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) delivered a fiery speech on Thursday condemning Republicans for their clear embrace of fascism. The bill, which passed the House largely on party lines on Friday morning, would force schools to disclose their curriculum and… Source Source / Read More: AOC Slams GOP for Banning Children’s Book “Life of Rosa Parks” for Being “Woke”
Public Education
DeSantis Wants to Defund Florida Colleges That Have Programs on Diversity
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that he plans to ask the state legislature to revoke funds from public colleges in the state if they offer lessons on diversity, equity and inclusion. The proposal would be part of a larger package that the state legislature plans to pass in the spring, The Associated Press reported. DeSantis, who is viewed as a viable Republican candidate… Source Source / Read More: DeSantis Wants to Defund Florida Colleges That Have Programs on Diversity
As the Public Focuses on Book Bans, the Right Is Quietly Defunding Libraries
The war on libraries is being fought on two fronts. On the first, we have extremists calling on librarians to repent for the sin of building collections and offering programming related to LGBTQ+ experiences. Proud Boys show up armed to protest Drag Queen Story Hours. The cops are called to investigate allegedly “obscene” materials on the shelves during Pride month. The second front… Source Source / Read More: As the Public Focuses on Book Bans, the Right Is Quietly Defunding Libraries
Segregating Disabled Children From Their Peers Doesn’t Help Them, Advocates Say
When Emilio Bernier was born in May 2016, doctors informed parents Hilda and Olivier that their son had Down syndrome. As a toddler, Emilio received speech, occupational and physical therapy, but finding a preschool that would allow him to study alongside kids who were not disabled proved difficult. The frustrations experienced by the family — including an intransigent bureaucracy led by rigid… Source Source / Read More: Segregating Disabled Children From Their Peers Doesn’t Help Them, Advocates Say
Arizona Legislators Attack Public Education With New Universal Voucher Law
Last Friday, while the country reeled from the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Arizona made history of a different sort. Legislators in the Grand Canyon State passed a universal school voucher bill that, once signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, will become the most wide-reaching school privatization plan in the country. In his January State of the State address, Ducey called on Arizona lawmakers to send him bills that would “expand school choice any way we can,” and the Republican-dominated legislature obliged, delivering last Friday’s bill, which will open a preexisting program for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) up to the…
“Don’t Say Gay” Bills Aren’t New. Some States Have Had Them for Decades.
Originally published by The 19th. Earlier this month, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law House Bill 322, colloquially dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, restricting public school teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ history or people in public elementary schools. It stood out for two reasons: Alabama was just the second state to pass such a law in 21 years, after Florida passed a similar measure in March. But more significantly, Ivey had just signed a repeal of a similar law the previous year. At least 20 states have introduced “Don’t Say Gay” laws this year, which have made waves around…