Post by aj2hall on Nov 12, 2024 15:57:26 GMT
I remember a discussion about how this NH bill was intentionally vague, intended to scare teachers from talking about a controversial subject. A certain conservative seemed to think the bill was OK because there was nothing specific, it was the idea behind the law. Fortunately, the NH Supreme Court struck down the law as vague and a violation of First Amendment rights. Another case of conservatives only caring about freedom of speech as it relates to social media. One more case of Republicans creating a solution for a problem that doesn't exist, too. Critical race theory is not taught in high school despite the conservative hysteria about it.
www.nhbr.com/lawmakers-file-proposal-to-repeal-divisive-concepts-law/
New Hampshire is one of several states that passed such laws in the wake of conservative opposition to critical race theory, a college-level academic concept that racism is embedded in American institutions and society.
Opponents of the law say critical race theory is not taught in high school anyway but that the statute serves to chill classroom discussions and puts teachers in the impossible position of trying to teach history, social studies and other topics without running afoul of vague provisions and possibly losing their teaching license.
Germana, a Keene State College history professor, said he knows of one case investigated under the law and no teacher has lost their license, showing the statute seeks to remedy a problem that doesn’t exist.
“The law is a political statement, it is performance politics on a culture war issue, but there’s no question that it has a chilling effect,” he said. “Teachers always have to ask themselves if they can teach real aspects of American history and how that’s going to be received by students and parents.”
Such laws also harm the state’s efforts to retain and recruit public school teachers, he said.
Peter Petrigno, D-Milford, is the prime sponsor of the LSR to repeal the law. He is a retired Merrimack High School social studies teacher who was named New Hampshire’s teacher of the year in 2000.
He said the law is based on a false belief that teachers are trying to indoctrinate students.
“That’s a lot of nonsense — more political than substance,” Petrigno said. “I find it really offensive and problematic. If I was in the classroom today, how could I talk about the Civil War, slavery, civil rights and make parallels to what is going on in society today?
“Because that is the key. We do have white supremacists. We do have neo-Nazis, the Proud Boys. We have these really extreme organizations.”
www.nhbr.com/lawmakers-file-proposal-to-repeal-divisive-concepts-law/
New Hampshire is one of several states that passed such laws in the wake of conservative opposition to critical race theory, a college-level academic concept that racism is embedded in American institutions and society.
Opponents of the law say critical race theory is not taught in high school anyway but that the statute serves to chill classroom discussions and puts teachers in the impossible position of trying to teach history, social studies and other topics without running afoul of vague provisions and possibly losing their teaching license.
Germana, a Keene State College history professor, said he knows of one case investigated under the law and no teacher has lost their license, showing the statute seeks to remedy a problem that doesn’t exist.
“The law is a political statement, it is performance politics on a culture war issue, but there’s no question that it has a chilling effect,” he said. “Teachers always have to ask themselves if they can teach real aspects of American history and how that’s going to be received by students and parents.”
Such laws also harm the state’s efforts to retain and recruit public school teachers, he said.
Peter Petrigno, D-Milford, is the prime sponsor of the LSR to repeal the law. He is a retired Merrimack High School social studies teacher who was named New Hampshire’s teacher of the year in 2000.
He said the law is based on a false belief that teachers are trying to indoctrinate students.
“That’s a lot of nonsense — more political than substance,” Petrigno said. “I find it really offensive and problematic. If I was in the classroom today, how could I talk about the Civil War, slavery, civil rights and make parallels to what is going on in society today?
“Because that is the key. We do have white supremacists. We do have neo-Nazis, the Proud Boys. We have these really extreme organizations.”
