These five questions relate to scenarios that schools and teachers will likely find themselves in this year, because kids are smart, teachers use quality instructional methods and they're using programs endorsed by the NH DOE.
1. Can teachers assign a research assignment where students can choose their topic, how they learn about that topic and how they present on the topic? This is an instructional strategy to help learners develop research skills, media literacy skills, self-directed learning skills and communication skills. What if one student chooses to do research on bias, White privilege or the history of Critical Race Theory? Would we deny this student? Would they not be allowed to present in front of peers? How are teachers going to handle choice and voice, elements in personalized education and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) that have been strategies on which the NH DOE has provided professional learning over the last few years?
2. What do teachers do if students are talking to each other about these topics? What if students talk about this everyday because they are affected by racism everyday and they personally believe in Critical Race Theory that their parents have taught them from home? Is allowing these conversations in school considered instruction?
3. What do we do if a student comes in misinformed about this law and tries to spread misinformation to the class. What is the best legal way to behave? Do we let the misinformed information sit there, or explain how it doesn't violate the law, which might mean we expose part of the law that we're supposed to avoid. Essentially can we even talk about this law with students? What should teachers say when someone brings up the law?
4. In the Choose Love program that has been championed by the DOE and Governor, there is a lot of work on identity and character in the curriculum and an emphasis in SEL. In an interview, founder Scarlett Lewis said, "Character can be inherited and acquired. The majority of our character, however, is environmental and learned." She believes some part of our character is inherent AND seems to understand how media affects the way we see others. If teachers use this curriculum, which has been supported by the state, and a student realizes his identity and privilege through this curriculum, is teacher going to be held accountable, school, DOE?
5. Personal expression is allowed by students in schools. What if a student or students wear t-shirts with the definition of racism printed on it? Currently Merriam Webster says one definition of racism is: "a political or social system founded on racism racial prejudice or discrimination." Do our libraries have to get rid of Merriam Webster dictionaries?