KUER Supporters and protestors stand behind Ogden NAACP leader Betty Sawyer at a press conference on Critical Race Theory Wednesday.
Some educators in Utah are calling Critical Race Theory the latest “boogeyman” in public education.
It has become a loosely-defined, catch-all phrase some parents and state lawmakers have criticized as a threat to students across the state. The reaction is not unlike the one many people had to the introduction of
Common Core standards in the early 2010s.
Common Core was the
first major attempt to create a set of national school standards for K-12 students in language arts and mathematics. Before, states had their own standards, which varied by difficulty and expectation.
Published May 21, 2021 at 8:52 AM MDT Listen • 4:42
/ Utah Pride festivities are back on with a different look this year. Instead of the parade and festival, which were cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the focal point will be what organizers are calling a “Story Garden.” This story and more in the Friday morning news brief.
Friday morning, May 21, 2021
State
Another ‘Boogeyman’ In Education
Some educators in Utah are calling Critical Race Theory the latest “boogeyman” in public education. It’s become a loosely-defined, catch-all phrase some parents and state lawmakers have labelled a threat to students across the state. The reaction is similar to one many people had after the early 2010s introduction of the Common Core, a Federal effort to create a set of national standards for K-12 students. The debate then, as now, has become one built around fear and misunderstanding, said Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay. But it’s
SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Legislature passed a ban on face mask requirements in schools beginning with the next academic year after an emotional debate Wednesday among some who questioned how an end to mask-wearing could impact unvaccinated students, and others who pleaded for the move to improve kids mental health. It s really about the mental health of our students, bill sponsor House Majority Assistant Whip Val Peterson, R-Orem, said. I know there s been some concerns about local control, and I just want you to know that local control is maintained, Peterson said, explaining that masks can be required by schools in collaboration with local health departments during outbreaks under HB1007.
SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Legislature passed a ban on face mask requirements in schools beginning with the next academic year after an emotional debate Wednesday among some who questioned how an end to mask-wearing could impact unvaccinated students, and others who pleaded for the move to improve kids mental health. It s really about the mental health of our students, bill sponsor House Majority Assistant Whip Val Peterson, R-Orem, said. I know there s been some concerns about local control, and I just want you to know that local control is maintained, Peterson said, explaining that masks can be required by schools in collaboration with local health departments during outbreaks under HB1007.
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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Utah Legislature passed a ban on face mask requirements in schools beginning with the next academic year after an emotional debate Wednesday among some who questioned how an end to mask-wearing could impact unvaccinated students, and others who pleaded for the move to improve kids’ mental health.
“It’s really about the mental health of our students,” bill sponsor House Majority Assistant Whip Val Peterson, R-Orem, said.
“I know there’s been some concerns about local control, and I just want you to know that local control is maintained,” Peterson said, explaining that masks can be required by schools in collaboration with local health departments during outbreaks under HB1007.