Murphy – Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley gave a response to potential legislation against the teaching of critical race theory at the Cherokee County Board of Education meeting July 15.
As many lawmakers in Raleigh are expressing concerns over the alleged teaching of critical race theory and House Bill 324, which seeks to ban the teaching of such theories in North Carolina remains alive in the General Assembly, Conley explained the district's stance on its teaching.
She said the district had received several calls regarding the issue, and emphasized that it was not included in the state's recently adopted social studies standards.
“Back in February, the state board of education adopted a new set of social studies standers for kindergarten through grade 12,” Conley said. “The set they adopted was the fifth iteration, and although across America, you're seeing people approach school boards and write on blogs and there are a lot of protests on the topic of critical race theory, I want to make it clear that North Carolina social studies standards did not adopt anything. The words critical race theory you will not find in those social studies standards anywhere.”
However, while she emphasized that critical race theory was not a part of the new standards, the district would not avoid tough conversations about race and other subjects in its classrooms.
“There were a lot of ugly things that happened in history,” Conley said. “We don't need to act like they didn't, the Native American removal, slavery, genocide of different peoples, and it's important that we study and talk about actual events in history.”
Conley added that although the standards were adopted at the state level, the board would be responsible for deciding what the curriculum would look like locally and purchasing the materials.
“This board would have total local control,” Conley said. “We've been getting a lot of calls. I think people are concerned that we would be forced to teach something that they're not happy with or not comfortable with their children learning.”
She invited anyone with questions or concerns to contact the district. A copy of the new standards will soon be posted on the schools website.
“We'll be happy to sit with you and let you know what our process is,” Conley said.