McKinney school officials long took pride in their students’ participation in the nationwide Youth and Government program, calling the district a “perennial standout.”
Every year, students researched current issues, proposed and debated their own public policy, and competed in a mock legislature and elections process for statewide offices. Since the program’s arrival to McKinney in 2005 as a club, seven of the district’s middle school students have been elected governor — the program’s top honor — at the statewide conference in Austin. In 2017, the district added an elective option: Seventh and eighth graders in two of the district’s middle schools could now receive course credit for participating in the program.
But in June, the district canceled the elective option in response to a social studies law passed during this year’s regular legislative session. In an email to middle school administrators obtained by The Texas Tribune, a social studies curriculum coordinator wrote that “in light of” the new law’s ban on political activism and policy advocacy, “we will no longer be allowed [to] offer Youth & Government as an elective course for credit.” As the law puts restrictions on courses, not on extracurricular activities, the original club remains available.
The cancellation is an early application of House Bill 3979, which goes into effect Sept. 1. The law is part of a nationwide movement to ban any teachings conservatives believe sow racial divisions and make white children believe they are racist. Republicans label these teachings “critical race theory.” The new law also restricts classroom discussions on current events and bans teaching that anyone should feel discomfort or guilt about their race.
Will we ever be able to get out of the tangled weave that is changing this great nation? If not the “great nation” will be lost because they are wiping out history too. What is the definition of history, or has that been changed with the substitute words that are used today? I personally am offended by the people that think this country is offensive. This is sad to a patriotic citizen of this country. MAGA
Please Americans , fly your American flag high and proud as long as you can as this may come to an end also. I’m so sick and tired of everyone trying to erase everything in this country. This is America, if you don’t like it leave.
Don’t let anywhere else become like California, where unparalleled beauty and opportunity have turned to shit at the hands of fools and zealots.