Waterford crowd slams changes to Michigan school social studies standards

Alpha-Phonics Blog Editor’s Note: Homeschoolers may be pleased they are spared having to deal with most of these issues relating to curricula choices. One thing seems sure: Agree or Disagree: Michigan Public education Patrons are not asleep.

Proposed revisions to social studies standards in Michigan may have eliminated many references to democracy in the U.S., but those attending a public comment session Wednesday got a lesson in how their voices matter.

Officials from the Michigan Department of Education listened to a number of questions from a large audience in Waterford, many of them concerned about the removal of references to Roe v. Wade, gay rights and climate change and trimming references to the role of the NAACP and references to democracy.

But comments from those state education officials indicated that many of the things that have raised controversy will make their way back in the standards.

The officials were asked about the removal of references to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

“Why are we intentionally leaving a gap in history?”

Gay rights, climate change could disappear from Mich. social studies

“It sounds like it will be put back in based on the number of people replying,” said Jim Cameron, social studies consultant for the Michigan Department of Education. “This is democracy at work. We are listening to you.”

The revision of the social studies standards has stirred controversy primarily because of the involvement of Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, whom the Free Press described recently as the most conservative person running for Michigan governor this year.

Some argue he had an undue influence on the outcomes of the revisions, something he and MDE officials have denied. But the Free Press reported Tuesday that Colbeck clearly had an influence in some areas, such as the removal of language on climate change, the removal of “democratic” from “core democratic values,” and a change in language from describing the U.S. as a constitutional democracy to a constitutional republic.

Linda Forward, senior executive policy adviser for the state education department, told the crowd of more than 200 that the MDE would be taking into account the feedback they’re hearing from the public through “listen and learn” sessions and through an online survey.

Wednesday’s crowd was the biggest MDE has seen at one of the listen and learn sessions. On Tuesday, 65 attended a session in Saginaw. On Monday, 50 people attended a session in Flint.

During the first part of Wednesday’s session, questions from the audience that were written down on pink pieces of paper were read by a facilitator from Public Policy Associates. The MDE officials answered the questions. But the audience often veered from that format and shouted out comments and questions. Some were passionate in their responses.

“Why was core democratic values changed to core values?” was the question on one piece of paper.

Some argue Colbeck had an undue influence on the outcomes of the revisions, something he and MDE officials have denied. But the Free Press reported Tuesday that Colbeck clearly had an influence in some areas, such as the removal of language on climate change, the removal of “democratic” from “core democratic values,” and a change in language from describing the U.S. as a constitutional democracy to a constitutional republic

Wednesday’s crowd was the biggest MDE has seen at one of the listen and learn sessions. On Tuesday, 65 attended a session in Saginaw. On Monday, 50 people attended a session in Flint.

“Are we losing emphasis on diversity?” one person asked.

“Yes. I think it’s fairly obvious. What other answer is there besides yes,” Cameron replied.

“Why is that OK?” one person shouted out.

“It sounds like you just took orders from the Republicans again,” another shouted.

Wednesday’s session was one of a number of listen and learn sessions the MDE is having. More are scheduled, and the MDE added two additional sessions.

Pamela Pugh, a member of the State Board of Education, said she doesn’t have a problem with Colbeck being involved in the process and having a voice.

But, she said, her concern was that “his voice should not outweigh any of your … voices.”

Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651, lhiggins [at] freepress [dot] com or @LoriAHiggins

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