Hunter
03/01/24
State legislators are advancing a bill that would change the way Iowa students learn US history.
The Gazette reports Republicans passed legislation on Wednesday that would require schools to teach a list of social studies concepts developed by a conservative think tank that focus on the “cultural heritage of western civilization” and emphasizes a positive view of U.S. history.
The bill’s language was modeled by the Civics Alliance, part of the conservative nonprofit group called the National Association of Scholars. They want a curriculum based on conservative values and cancels out such teachings as critical race theory, diversity equity and inclusion, and social justice.
In advancing the legislation, Republicans said students are currently being disproportionately taught about the negatives in American History.
According to the curriculum from the Civics Alliance, students in grades 1-6 would be taught about the institutions of liberty that “emphasizes the good, worthwhile and best achievements of these ideals.” Seventh and eighth graders would be taught the concepts of liberty that, quote, “emphasizes the good, worthwhile and best achievements of these ideals.”
The bill would also require anyone being admitted into any of Iowa’s three public universities to take a civics exam.
Republican representative Steve Hold said the legislation doesn’t prevent teachers from exposing students to the bad aspects of American history, but instead teaches students to be proud to be an American.
Democrats accused Republicans of pushing their political agenda and pointed out the lack of required learning about the history of slavery and the treatment of Native Americans.
