RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia’s Department of Education has proposed significant revisions to an African American history elective offered in 89 schools. Documents reveal plans to remove content on “implicit bias” and replace terms like “racism” with “discriminatory practices” in the course curriculum.
The proposed changes, detailed in documents obtained by the nonpartisan watchdog American Oversight and shared with The Washington Post, include dozens of recommended revisions to the course’s content and curriculum outline. These recommendations have not yet been implemented and are not currently scheduled to take effect as the course is still under review by the state education department, according to spokesperson Todd Reid.
The review is part of the department’s compliance with Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s first executive order, which prohibits the use of “inherently divisive concepts” in K-12 education. The proposed revisions address a range of topics, including the history of racism in the U.S., Richmond’s role in the slave trade, economic disparity, redlining, systemic racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and even the size of Africa on maps.
Former Governor Ralph Northam (D) established the course and created a commission to develop it. Last school year, over 1,700 students were enrolled in this elective, which is offered at 89 schools across 45 divisions in Virginia.
American Oversight requested records from the Virginia Department of Education related to changes in public education curriculum prompted by Youngkin’s executive order. Among the proposed revisions are the removal of definitions of “Black joy,” content on equity and implicit bias, and the sentence “Institutional racism remains” from the course’s objectives.
Other proposed changes include replacing terms like “rise of racism” and “white supremacy” with “discriminatory practices” and “racial violence.” The department also suggested altering the course’s content on societal and economic changes after Reconstruction, changing “mostly-white legislatures in the South” to “state legislatures in the South.”
Additional revisions involve modifying course content on topics like the Eugenics movement and the impact of “white moderates” on civil rights progress. For instance, a lesson on “Economic Disparity and Privilege” would remove a paragraph detailing the effects of white privilege.
“These documents reveal attempts to whitewash and erase America’s legacy of racism, similar to actions seen in other states like Florida,” said Chioma Chukwu, interim executive director of American Oversight.
The course aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of African American history with a specific focus on Virginia, acknowledging both positive and negative historical aspects. Youngkin has expressed a similar sentiment about teaching history inclusively.
The proposed changes align with Youngkin’s broader efforts to focus education on race, history, and gender, and to restrict critical race theory from the curriculum.
In 2023, Youngkin reviewed a proposed Advanced Placement African American studies course to ensure it complied with his executive order. The course was found to be in compliance.
Youngkin’s administration has faced criticism for its review process of K-12 history standards and for the tip line created to report “inherently divisive practices,” which led to backlash and lawsuits over the records collected. Reid noted that since the course was created by Northam’s directive and the education department does not develop courses, it is unique and lacks a standardized review process.
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