#Virginia @NAACP Issues Alert on History Standards
On March 13, the Virginia NAACP issued an action alert regarding the public hearings this week to Review Revision of the 2023 History & Social Studies.
From the Virginia NAACP: The Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP) will continue to protest the Virginia History and Social Studies Standards of Learning revision process until the information presented within the final draft is both historically accurate and racially equitable.
The January 2023 draft -- clearly steeped in political agenda -- is a further attempt to “whitewash” American history, win turn-turn discriminates against Black students and is both anti-intellectual and un-democratic.
The Virginia NAACP demands the Virginia Board of Education reject the January 2023 version of the Standards presented by former Superintendent of Education Jillian Balow, who resigned on March 1st, and re-consider the August 2022 version of the standards that is far more equitable.
The Virginia Board of Education accepted the January 2023 SOL revision after the Virginia Social Studies Leaders Consortium (VSSLC), the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD), and the American Historical Association (AHA) released the "Proposed Combined History and Social Studies Standards" that combines the August 2022 and November 2022 iterations, and that the Virginia NAACP supports.
RELATED: ‘Slavery was wrong’ and 5 other things some educators won’t teach anymore / Washington Post, March 6, 2023
RELATED: Virginia has rolled out its third version of history standards. Critics say problems remain / Virginia Mercury, March 13, 2023
Additionally, we implore Governor Youngkin to appoint a new Superintendent who adopts History and Social Studies Standards that reflect and include the expertise of Virginia educators, scholars, and citizens who value historical accuracy, have a sound understanding of to combine scholarship with pedagogy effectively, and will not be used as pawns to propel a political agenda committed to reifying the myth of American exceptionalism and eliminating Black history from school curriculum. We appreciate the opportunity for concerned citizens to participate in statewide hearings and we encourage our membership to have their voices heard.
We Ask That You Take the Following Steps
🚩 Before March 21, 2023, provide written, public comment on the History and Social Studies Standards on the VDOE website found here.
🚩 Participate in one of the six public hearings held throughout Virginia between March 13-March 21 hosted by the Virginia Department of Education. These hearings begin at 7:00 p.m. and speakers can begin to register to speak by 6:30 p.m. Speakers will have three minutes to speak and should bring copies of their comments for the Board of Education.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Rubenstein Leadership Hall at the Library
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Piedmont Community College: Auditorium
501 College Drive, Charlottesville
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Winston Link & History Museum of Western Virginia: Auditorium
101 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke
Monday, March 20, 2023
Southwest Higher Education Center: Rooms 103-104
1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Robert Russa Moton Museum: Auditorium
900 Griffin Blvd, Farmville
If you plan to attend, complete this google form so that the Virginia NAACP can stay in touch with important information.
Review the summary published by the American Historical Association, an organization also dedicated to pushing back against ahistorical presentations and interpretations in K-12 education.
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