The True Indoctrination in SC Public Schools
The True Indoctrination in SC Public Schools
Every accusation is an admission from the far-right these days. Our state superintendent is no different.
“Unbridled power.” “WTAF.” These are just two of the most appropriate-for-print reactions I got after circulating the news from Zak Koeske from The State newspaper that State Superintendent Ellen Weaver announced a partnership between the State Department of Education and PragerU.
What is PragerU? Great question. In their own words, "an educational media platform dedicated to promoting pro-American values.” However, numerous education policy and political science experts agree: It’s not a university; it promotes propaganda. South Carolina now joins Florida, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Louisiana in partnering with the online platform that lifts the opinions of Candace Owens, Ben Shapiro, Betsy DeVos, Hans van Spakovsky (of The Heritage Foundation), and others.
Some of the videos that are more widely known to be controversial (beyond the keynote names listed above) include a cartoon of Frederick Douglass alluding to Founding Fathers being abolitionists (ha!) and Christopher Columbus telling children that “being taken as a slave better than being killed” and not to judge enslavers by “modern standards.” In their science-themed videos, there is a denial of the climate crisis. YouTube has had to restrict PragerU’s account for violating its policies. In short, it is an attempt to whitewash American history to make it more palatable (and therefore inaccurate) and make education “unwoke.” Champions of public education have been sounding the alarm about PragerU for years.
In February 2023, the SC House passed H3728, a bill entitled “Transparency and Integrity in Education Act,” to “prohibit certain concepts from being included in public education institutions and professional development.” Along the way, champions of public education, like The Arena’s own Jermaine Johnson, pointed out that this bill would make it harder for educators to teach true South Carolina history. Members of the House got to the well and read passages from books that would no longer be allowed if this bill were to pass. Even initial Republican sponsors of the bill addressed the body with concerns about how overly conservative the amendments had made the language. Thankfully, this bill didn’t become law (due to the procedural step in the conference committee stalling out). Still, it is expected to be one of the priorities when the body returns in January. However, this latest move by Ellen Weaver would seemingly directly violate a bill her supporters put forth.
Even more troubling was that no vote was taken to approve this partnership. At the last State School Board meeting in August, there was no discussion on this topic, nor was it publicly voted on. Those in the room were shocked to read the news of this partnership, knowing full well it was seemingly done and approved in private. Just how much of your tax dollars are being spent on this? Unknown. How are schools getting guidance to utilize these controversial videos? Again, I need clarification.
There is an irony here: PragerU’s founder, Dennis Prager, told the New York Times in 2020 that “many [students] suspect they have been given only one view, and suspect that view may often be absurd,” he said. Meanwhile, supporters of PragerU will stop at nothing to “abolish critical race theory” in grade schools (a concept reserved for those studying law and a dog whistle for teaching any part of history that makes students “feel” badly). What the far-right accuses loudly outspoke proponents of a solid and trustworthy public education system and curriculum of is “indoctrination,” when that is precisely what PragerU and those who align with it are pushing.
Further proof of conspiring to push an agenda? A couple of weeks back, I spoke with Statehouse candidate Lisette Cifaldi about mailers going out in her district to support the incumbent, supported by an organization called the American Federation for Children (AFC). AFC is an out-of-state special interest group founded by folks who align with Betsy DeVos and Christopher Rufo (also featured in PragerU videos). These are the same people who directly benefit from the school voucher scam that our state supreme court ruled unconstitutional last week. All the dots are connected; all of these people do the bidding of each other. AFC funds Republican incumbents’ re-elections, those incumbents sponsor legislation that benefits AFC, and when bills are held up due to procedural matters, the state superintendent of education, funded and supported by the very same people, handpicks their curriculum to put in place in our state.
If you’re appalled, you aren’t alone. We are working hard to demand answers and seek clarity and accountability for how this transpired. Supportive organizations across our state are collaborating to ensure the Freedom to Learn remains fought for at every level of our government. Together, we will work to get you the answers you deserve on this topic.
This is utter insanity. But with Ellen Weaver as State Superintendent of Education, I'm not surprised at all. This is what happens when you elect a party hack to run our schools. As a college educator, I've seen first-hand the products of South Carolina K-12 education - it's not pretty.
P.S. This is also what happens when media outlets like The State play lapdog for the state GOP.
Until we vote out Ellen Weaver, a person with no agenda but to eliminate public schools, we will coninue to face these distressing bills and crackpot ideas of education. I have taught many grades from first through graduate school as well as being an administrator. She has no education or experience yet was chosen by the voters in this state to make choices for our children. I will never understand how people who want a better economy think we can do that without excellent education.