Occasionally, Appleton Area School District will choose to update some of their curriculum materials. In April 2021, the district sent notification to families that they were looking at adopting a new science curriculum for 6th grade students and created a parent log-in for NEWSELA; the platform used for teachers to assign articles and assignments through. Naturally, I chose to review it. What I found was concerning to me. First of all, the district utilizes platforms created and/or endorsed by radicalized individuals such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg: Newsela Is in Three Quarters of American Classrooms (businessinsider.com). While this resource boasts achievement amongst users, it’s most important to note that the material presented only leans one way- I could not find any materials representing counter arguments or differing perspectives.
 
    The district prides itself on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). However, in my mind, equity and inclusion also means recognizing and respecting the belief systems of ALL families. What I’ve come to discover is that the curriculum is often heavily biased, divisional, and encompassing through various areas of study. There is a fine line between informing and educating, and programming impressionable minds. The topics below are controversial and likely against the values of families in our district (the ideal that America is systemically racist). Instead, we should be removing political opinions and focusing on shared American values of integrity, individualism, kindness, acceptance, and personal responsibility. We should strive to teach the FACTS, and all of the facts of history, free from media and political bias.

      I agree that we should review history books for accuracy, and add any information, or clarify what may be missing. The only way to better our future, is to teach the past so that we do not commit the same mistakes. Educating students on viewpoints or organizations briefly and concisely is one matter, whereas supporting and fixating the subjects has a different, negative impact. However, I believe that we need to teach our children equality, over equity. I support individualism over the collective- too often children are lumped in the same category due to similar characteristics and labeled; when the truth is, we are all so unique. We should celebrate each other’s differences in a more positive message, free from bias, versus divisional messages that cause anxiety and distress in our children. I will strive to ensure our children receive an education that embraces cultural diversity positively and unbiasedly, supporting the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. in the concepts of acceptance, awareness, integrity and character.

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Here are the assignments I found. 

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