Note: the author of this 4-part series on identifying CRT in private schools is an anonymous mother of 2 children who attend private school in the southeast.
After exploring the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion pages on the school website the next area to focus on is the curriculum. What will students be taught on a daily basis? Despite Critical Race Theory popping up in math and science, the most common place to find it in the curriculum guide is History and English class. It’s important to explore the classes that are being taught as well as understand what has conveniently been removed from the curriculum.
Independent schools have been updating their history curricula in recent years and diminished or completely removed areas of study. For example, Western Civilization has been renamed World or Global History by several institutions. They have also eliminated the study of Ancient Greece and Rome in grades 9-12 by starting Global History in the Middle Ages. Today a student will study Ancient History in 5th or 6th grade, if at all. What is the significance of this change? Simple, by not teaching the ancient cultures that created the principles of democracy and government, these students are left without the foundation to understand America’s Constitutional Republic. How can any student appreciate American history and government if they are not taught where it came from? This is a slow and steady way to undermine the entire American way of life.
After completing the required classes by 10th grade students are then free to choose history electives in 11th and 12th grade. These electives tend to focus on race and identity groups. The following are examples currently found on the curriculum guides of the most exclusive private schools in the country:
- Gender & Sexuality in Contemporary Popular Culture
- The History of Race and Sports in Modern America
- Cuba: Race, Revolution, Renewal
- Identities in American Art
- The Black Radical Tradition
- Modern American Protest Movements
- Global Women’s History
English class is another popular place for schools to push the CRT propaganda on students. This area is more difficult to evaluate if the schools do not specify what books are taught in the required classes. Looking into the books listed is a wise idea if given the opportunity. But the listing of electives offers similar insights to history.
- Literature of the Black Diaspora
- The Art of Protest
- Queer Lit
- Power, Narrative, and the Self: Literature and American Identity
Mixed in with the CRT focused classes, schools do offer English electives focusing on Jane Austen, Herman Mehlville, and Williams Shakespeare. For students interested in classic literature this is an opportunity to focus on those authors; however, there is no telling what lens each individual teacher will choose through which to teach. Class discussion focusing on systemic racism, implicit/unconscious/internalized bias and white privilege all fall under the umbrella of CRT.
While finding examples of CRT integrated into math and science curriculum on a school’s website is difficult, do not think that these principles are not being taught to students in those classes as well. In 2019 the president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommended teacher read Critical Race Theory in Mathematics Education. Also, the National Science Teaching Association held an online event in 2021 titled “What IS Social Justice Teaching in the Classroom?” and described it as “…your source for resources and strategies for motivating and enhancing the participation of traditionally underrepresented students in science through the lens of equity and social justice.” The teachers have been radicalized and are now working to radicalize students.
There is hope. Finding schools that focus on Classical Education will give students the educational foundation they need to succeed in college and in life. Hillsdale College has created a Classical Education curriculum and a network of schools around the country to teach it. It’s worth exploring their curriculum to have an idea of what to look for when evaluating independent schools.
After learning about the schools’ Mission Statement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work, and the curriculum most parents will have a good idea if the school will serve their student and family well. However, there are a few more stops on the internet if more information is needed to make a decision. Read about this additional information in Part 4 of this series.
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