Freedom In Education (FIE) was notified by a concerned citizen that an agenda item for the 6/13/24 Thursday State Board of Education meeting was to vote on adopting standards proposed by the Georgia DOE Career Technology Agricultural Education (CTAE) to provide a K-12 Educator career pathway. After reviewing them, FIE echoed these concerns.
“We have read the standards and are VERY alarmed. If these standards are voted in, California will be coming to Georgia. Standards include education on the NEA, Humanism, and Social Justice ideologies,” wrote Freedom In Education President and Co-Founder, Melissa Jackson in her email to Governor Kemp’s Office.
Some of the most concerning examples in these new standards include progressive radical educators and Humanism, including the teachings and theories of Paulo Friere, a well-known Brazilian Marxist who is responsible for “Marxifying” education. Other course standards include a heavy emphasis on social justice ideologies, critical race theory, unions and ‘activating students’ in the form of fostering a ‘culturally responsive classroom.’ Furthermore, all foundational literacy standards have been removed from the new Educator Pathway, which is also highly concerning.
For a breakdown of modules, see below.
Upon review, FIE reached out to Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, who provided guidance. FIE promptly requested the Governor’s office and GA DOE intervene by asking the State Board of Education to vote no on these dangerous standards.
The GA DOE responded almost instantaneously and wrote back “within 20 mins of receiving your feedback, we pulled the Education as a Profession Pathway item.” They also noted that they share the concerns you raised and will reach out to you to address after the board meeting.
“We are thrilled to see such swift and responsive action taken by the DOE,” said Jackson. “This is a huge win for all Georgians and highlights that using your voice does work- you can affect the changes you want to see in your community.”
Some concerning aspects of the proposed curriculum include:
Pathway- Foundational Course 1 (updated from the 2013 Teacher Career Pathway)
Course Standard 8 (Progressive radical educators and Humanism)
ET-EAP-8
Analyze various theories regarding stages of development at all ages.
8.1 Apply principles and theories of human development to teaching situations including but limited to Lawrence Kohlberg, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, Howard Gardner, Benjamin Skinner, Ivan Pavlov, and Paulo Freire.
8.2 Apply principles and theories about the learning process to teaching situations including but not limited to Humanism, Constructivism, and Behaviorism.
Pathway II (did not exist in 2013)
Course Standard 4 – (Social Justice Ideologies)
ET-EAPII-4
Analyze the concepts of a culturally responsive classroom.
4.1 Research contemporary educational ideas using value orientations and ethical perspectives.
4.2 Develop a tool to compare procedures of contemporary schooling practice and educational ideas.
4.3 Evaluate conceptions of truth, justice, and caring applied in contemporary educational policy and practice.
Course Standard 6 (Democracy in the classroom vs the Teacher being in control)
ET-EAPII-6
Differentiate how moral principles related to democratic institutions can inform and direct schooling practice, leadership, and governance.
6.1 Identify the characteristics of a democratic classroom.
6.2 Evaluate the moral and social dimensions of contemporary classrooms, teaching, and schools relating to life in a democratic society.
Course Standard 8
ET-EAPII-8 (More social justice/critical theory)
Critique how ethical, philosophical, and moral values affect the process of evaluation at all levels of education.
8.1 Identify, understand, evaluate, and critique educational conceptions, practices and current values that can lead to change.
Course Standard 9 (Unions)
ET-EAPII-9
Examine individual and organizational efforts that maintain and influence the field of education.
9.1 Examine professional organizations [i.e., Georgia Association of Educators (GAE);
Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); National Education Association (NEA)] and analyze similarities and differences in reference to fringe benefits and liability insurance.
