Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina State Board of Education voted on Thursday, February 4, 2021 to adopt the controversial third draft of the new K-12 Social Studies Standards.
According to NC Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, in a matter of days, the board received over 28,000 signatures on a petition to stop the standards. In addition to the petition that was started on January 30, 2021, the board of education received thousands of emails asking the board members to oppose the standards.
The board members reported there were 6,000 emails in favor of the proposed standards.
Board members in favor of the new standards explained the new education material will allow teachers to cover the topics of discrimination, racism, and marginalized groups.
Remarks from board member Donna Tipton-Rogers describe the social study standards as being “true”, “honest” and the “best education”. She said, “To include racism, identity and discrimination is what we should do.”
Some board members also tried to add words like “systemic racism,” systemic discrimination” and “gender identity” to the new standards as well.
Board member Amy White opposed the new standards describing the material as “anti-American”, anti-democratic and “anti-capitalist”.
Lt. Gov. Robinson said in a press release on Thursday evening, “Let me be clear: This is not over. I will continue to lead the fight to ensure that our students are educated, not indoctrinated.”
The new Social Study Standards will be put into place in the fall of 2021.
View Lt. Gov. Robinson’s full press release below.