SPI Supports SB 698 that Counters Hate: Unite in Support of Bill that Counters Hate Through Education - Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

SPI Supports SB 698 that Counters Hate - Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Senator Henry Stern, and Partners Unite in Support of Bill that Counters Hate Through Education

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) joined legislative leaders and partnering organizations to urge support for new legislation to strengthen the implementation of education on genocide, including the Holocaust, and provide tools and resources to schools and teachers to confront complex issues of bias, bigotry, racism, and the rise in incidents of hate.

Senate Bill (SB) 693, the Never Again Education Act, sponsored by State Superintendent Thurmond and authored by Senator Stern, which successfully advanced from the Senate Appropriations Committee last week, establishes the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education. It would assemble leading experts on teaching about crimes against humanity, genocide, and the Holocaust in particular to provide resources offering new teaching methods and enhanced resources for teachers and students to counter a recent rise in acts of hate, bigotry, and anti-Semitism across our country and embrace the importance of diversity, human rights, and the roles and responsibilities of citizens in democratic societies to combat misinformation, indifference, and discrimination.

This effort aligns with the “Education to End Hate” initiative that State Superintendent Thurmond launched in September 2020, in which the California Department of Education (CDE) has utilized a series of strategies—including educator training grants, partnerships with community leaders, and virtual classroom sessions—that leverage the power of education to create a more just society. In the announcement yesterday, State Superintendent Thurmond underscored that as part of the ongoing efforts, the CDE is prepared to work with any school district in real time, along with partners such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation, to respond to and provide the resources and support schools need when there are incidents of anti-Semitism and acts of hate. All questions regarding the Education to End Hate Initiative can be directed to edtoendhate@cde.ca.gov.

Speaking yesterday at the virtual press conference, State Superintendent Thurmond stated, “Our students are victims of a broken society; every day we encounter more heartbreaking examples of anti-Semitism, bullying, and violence against Asian Americans, Islamophobia, LGBTQ discrimination, and racism and actions of hate against people of color. Education has the power to help us grow, understand, and find a pathway to healing. SB 693 will build the necessary infrastructure to provide the trainings to hold the courageous conversations. It is not enough for us to say ‘never forget’ genocide or the experience of the Holocaust, but what we need to realize is that there is an interconnectivity that we all experience and that, with the right information and tools, we can and we must address hate wherever and whenever it occurs.”

During Monday’s virtual press conference, Senator Stern shared, “Holocaust genocide education isn’t just a lesson in history class or an issue only affecting people who are Jewish; it should be a bulwark against rising anti-Semitism for all California students. Hate has a history. Building action-oriented Holocaust and genocide education will give teachers and students the tools to uproot hate when it rears its head in schools across California, so it doesn’t fester and erupt as violence on our streets.”

Several other participants in the press conference shared their personal stories and encouraged support for SB 693.

“Education can be an exceptionally powerful antidote to hate,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), Assembly Majority Whip and Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “The Jewish Caucus is deeply concerned that in too many places, and especially for too many young people, the Holocaust is fading from view. We are proud to support SB 693 and applaud Senator Stern for his leadership on this important issue.”

Senator Scott Weiner stated, “My childhood and recent experiences as a victim of anti-Semitism and homophobia have repeatedly reminded me that ignorance and bigotry are alive and well. SB 693 will help educate the next generation of Californians about what happens with bigotry goes unchecked, which is one of the best ways to prevent future acts of hatred against vulnerable communities.”

Dr. Anita Friedman of Jewish Family and Children’s Services commented, "Teachers and students truly want to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and about genocide worldwide. We know this: Education has proven to be one of the most effective ways to address the extraordinary increase in hate occurring in our communities. With this initiative, California will again be leading the nation at a time when such leadership is needed most."

Speaking for the ADL, Regional Director Seth Brysk offered, “ADL is grateful for State Superintendent Tony Thurmond’s support of Senator Henry Stern’s bill SB 693, the Never Again Education Act. ADL was proud to offer guidance to Senator Stern in drafting the statute to improve Holocaust and genocide education in California. At a moment of sustained high levels of anti-Semitism, coupled by recent sharp increases, including social media messages asserting “Hitler was right", Holocaust education is as important and relevant as ever. The benefits of Holocaust education are clear; improved knowledge of the Holocaust also fosters better critical thinking skills, openness to differing views, and willingness to challenge intolerant behavior.”

Dr. Kori Street from the USC Shoah Foundation commented, “It shows extraordinary commitment and leadership for the State Superintendent to join forces with Senator Stern and other leaders on this initiative. Education—especially when anchored by innovative resources and tools—can make California stronger than hate.”

“Mandates are not enough; we must ensure we lead with action,” said Senator Stern. “I applaud the efforts of the CDE and State Superintendent Thurmond on his ‘Education to End Hate’ initiative and for prioritizing these issues that affect our youth, schools, and the balance of our society.”

An archived broadcast of the full press conference can be viewed on the CDE Facebook page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

SPI Supports SB 698 that Counters Hate - Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education)

MICHELLE GOLDBERG | Why the Right Loves Public School Culture Wars - The New York Times

Opinion | Why the Right Loves Public School Culture Wars - The New York Times

Why the Right Loves Public School Culture Wars

There is a quote from Ralph Reed that I often return to when trying to understand how the right builds political power. “I would rather have a thousand school board members than one president and no school board members,” the former leader of the Christian Coalition said in 1996. School board elections are a great training ground for national activism. They can pull parents, particularly mothers, into politics around intensely emotional issues, building a thriving grass roots and keeping it mobilized.

You could easily write a history of the modern right that’s about nothing but schools. The battles were initially about race, particularly segregation and busing. Out of those fights came the Christian right, born in reaction to the revocation of tax exemptions for segregated Christian schools. As the Christian right grew, political struggles over control of schools became more explicitly religious. There were campaigns against allowing gay people to work in schools and against teaching sex education and evolution.

Now the Christian right has more or less collapsed as anything but an identity category. There are still lots of religious fundamentalists, but not, post-Donald Trump, a movement confidently asserting itself as the repository of wholesome family values. Instead, with the drive to eradicate the teaching of “critical race theory,” race has moved back to the center of the public-school culture wars.

I put critical race theory in quotes because the right has transformed a term that originally referred to an academic school of thought into a catchall for resentments over diversity initiatives and changing history curriculums. Since I first wrote about anti-critical race theory activism in February, it’s become hard to keep up with the flurry of state bills aimed at banning the teaching of what are often called “divisive concepts,” including the idea, as a Rhode Island bill puts it, that “the United States of America is fundamentally racist or sexist.” “We will reject Critical Race Theory in our schools and public institutions, and we will CANCEL Cancel Culture wherever it arises!” the irony-challenged Mike Pence tweeted last week.

As The Washington Post’s Dave Weigel pointed out, Glenn Youngkin, a candidate in Virginia’s Republican primary, recently released four anti-critical race theory videos in 24 hours.

Part of the reason the right is putting so much energy into this crusade is because it can’t whip up much opposition to the bulk of Joe Biden’s agenda. Biden’s spending plans are much more ambitious than Barack Obama’s were, but there’s been no new version of the Tea Party. Voters view this president as more moderate than Obama, a misconception that critical race theory scholars would have no trouble explaining. Republicans have groused about how hard Biden is to demonize. They need a more frightening, enraging villain to keep their people engaged.

Critical race theory — presented as an attack on history, a program to indoctrinate children and a stealth form of Marxism — fits the bill. The recent elections in Southlake, Texas, show how politically potent the backlash to critical race theory can be.

In 2018, the affluent Texas suburb was in the news for a viral video of a group of laughing white students shouting the N-word. Black residents told reporters about instances of unambiguous racism, like a sixth grader joking to a Black student, “How do you get a CONTINUE READING: Opinion | Why the Right Loves Public School Culture Wars - The New York Times

Andre M. Perry: Win or lose, Trump was the mirror America needed

Win or lose, Trump was the mirror America needed

Win or lose, Trump was the mirror America needed

A day after Election Day 2020, the presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is still too close to call. As states continue to count ballots, the potential for recounts and 

litigation to affect the final outcome remains. Viable routes to victory remain for both candidates, even in the midst of several colossal failures that should have resulted in a trouncing of the incumbent Trump.

At various points during the campaign, both Trump and Biden referred to this election as a fight for the “soul” of America. If that is the case, Trump’s better-than-expected performance should hold a mirror up for Americans to see what that soul truly looks like.

After downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken more than 200,000 American lives, Trump still has rock solid support, even after contracting the illness himself. In the past four years, he has openly fawned vicious dictators such as Russian president Vladimir Putin, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un. He inappropriately deployed the military on American citizens during a moment of social unrest. He has failed to denounce white supremacy, separated immigrant parents from their children, consistently deployed racist rhetoric, and banned residents of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. None of this seems to have eroded his base, even voters of color—exit polls show that Trump support from Black and Latino or Hispanic voters is up from 2016.

Meanwhile, California’s raging wildfires highlight Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. His lack of transparency and demonization of the press can only be considered acceptable under an authoritarian regime. He regularly flaunts undemocratic values, and his narcissism seemingly knows no bounds. He has converted press briefings into a stage for his personal political reality CONTINUE READING: Win or lose, Trump was the mirror America needed

SSPI THURMOND NEWS UPDATE + Education to End Hate Grant Recipients - Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Education to End Hate Grant Recipients - Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces “Education to End Hate” Grant Recipients and Dates for First Three Virtual Classrooms

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Education to End Hate Grant Recipients

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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announces “Education to End Hate” grant recipients and dates for first three virtual classrooms.

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that the California Department of Education (CDE) has selected recipients of mini grants totaling nearly $200,0000 that will fund educator trainings across the state to combat hate, bigotry, racism, and other forms of bias or prejudice in schools as part of the Education to End Hate initiative.

More than 300 schools and districts across California applied for the grants funded by a contribution from philanthropic partner, the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Topics addressed by the first round of grantees include anti-racist pedagogy, implicit bias and its impact on students and families, privilege and systems of oppression, improving coursework on California and Native American Studies, and more.

“The overwhelming response to this grant program speaks volumes: California’s educators are more committed than ever to educational equity through the creation of safe, inclusive learning environments for all students, and they are hungry for more training and tools,” Thurmond said. “Congratulations to these school districts for showing their communities that education has the power to make meaningful, lasting change.”

The State Superintendent launched the Education to End Hate Initiative in September as a multifaceted effort to confront incidents of hate, bigotry, and racism rising across the state and nation, including anti-Semitic behavior, bullying of Asian American students, Islamophobia, LGBTQ discrimination, and violence directed at historically marginalized and oppressed peoples.

The first round of Education to End Hate mini grant recipients are:

• Eureka City Schools - $20,000
• Lucia Mar Unified School District - $14,600
• Madera Unified School District - $19,999
• Mountain Empire Unified School District - $15,000
• Ojai Unified School District - $20,000
• Petaluma City Schools District - $20,000
• San Lorenzo Unified School District - $20,000
• Union Elementary School District - $20,000
• Willits Elementary Charter School $6,200
• Wright Elementary School District - $20,000

Grant recipients indicated they are seeking workshops and training opportunities for both staff and teachers. Some applicants also indicated providing opportunities to students and parents. Recipients noted that training and professional development would support the improvement or development of curriculum and address systemic problems in policies and procedures.

Virtual classroom series dates announced: As part of the Education to End Hate Initiative, the CDE will also host a series of virtual classroom and educator professional development sessions broadcast live throughout the state that will be designed to engage students, educators, and families in a wide-ranging dialogue about the many forms of bias young people face across California—and ways schools can lead efforts to end discrimination.

The first three dates and topics in the webinar series will be:

• Week of November 16, 2020: Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching about Native Americans
• December 8: Countering anti-Semitism
• January 12, 2021: Countering Islamophobia

More details will be announced in advance of each virtual event.

All questions regarding the Education to End Hate Initiative can be directed to edtoendhate@cde.ca.gov.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Education to End Hate Grant Recipients - Year 2020 (CA Dept of Education)

Compare the town halls: How Biden and Trump will bring educators out of the pandemic - Education Votes

Compare the town halls: How Biden and Trump will bring educators out of the pandemic - Education Votes

Compare the town halls: How Biden and Trump will bring educators out of the pandemic

By Amanda Menas

On the night that was supposed to be the second presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump appeared at separate events presenting their vastly different visions to voters.

“The words of a president matter,” Biden said of Trump’s actions regarding the coronavirus pandemic during his town hall on ABC. “When a president doesn’t wear a mask, or makes fun of folks like me when I was wearing a mask, for a long time, then people say, ‘Well, you know, it mustn’t be that important.’”

Biden presented his vision of leadership to bring back the American economy, workforce, and middle class out of the recession caused by the pandemic and Donald Trump’s failed response. He pointed to his leadership throughout the spring in calling for school closures and reopening safely by listening to the experts, while Trump lied and hid the facts from the public.

“You can open businesses and schools if in fact you provide them the guidance that they need as well as the money to be able to do it,” said Biden about his school reopening plan if elected. Biden noted that Trump’s administration told the American public that they would provide masks for every student and teacher, and then subsequently walked it back. “We need more teachers in our schools to be able to open and smaller pods. We need ventilation systems changed,” Biden said.

Trump and his education secretary, Betsy DeVos, have failed students, educators, and the American people with their response to the pandemic. Trump even failed to take CONTINUE READING: Compare the town halls: How Biden and Trump will bring educators out of the pandemic - Education Votes

SSPI Launches "Education to End Hate" Initiative - Child and Adult Care Food Programs Online Courses - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)

SSPI Launches "Education to End Hate" Initiative - (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Launches New "Education to End Hate" Initiative to Combat Bias, Bigotry, and Racism

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Monday announced a new, multifaceted “Education to End Hate” initiative designed to empower educators and students to confront the hate, bigotry, and racism rising in communities across the state and nation. Under a new effort outlined during a virtual press conference, the State Superintendent said that the California Department of Education (CDE) will lead a series of strategies—including educator training grants, partnerships with community leaders, and virtual classroom sessions—that leverage the power of education to create a more just society.

“We do not need any more evidence that our country is facing two pandemics: coronavirus and hate. It feels like every day we are seeing heartbreaking examples: more anti-Semitic behavior, bullying of Asian American students because of our President’s rhetoric, Islamophobia, discrimination of our LGBTQ neighbors, and violence directed at people of color,” Thurmond said. “It’s time to double down on our efforts to combat all forms of hate, bias, and bigotry. By digging deeper into the complexities of our diverse and difficult histories—not denying or ignoring them—I believe education can provide the pathway to healing, understanding, and racial and social justice.”

The State Superintendent’s “Education to End Hate” initiative has three components:

Educator training grants: The CDE will award up to $200,000 in mini-grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to support educator training in the areas of anti-racism and bias. The grants will be funded by contributions from an ongoing philanthropic partner, the S. D.  Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Organizations with extensive experience in leading related educator trainings—including Equality California the National Equity Project, and the Simon Weisenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance—have already agreed to partner and offer professional development and resources through this program. More details on grant guidelines and the application process will be released to school districts soon.

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center is the preeminent organization fighting anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate globally. Its Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is a proud and trusted partner to schools throughout California in advancing anti-bias education, inclusion, and equity through unique professional development programs and educator resources,” said Rabbi Meyer H. Hay, Executive Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance. “Committed to confronting hate and promoting human dignity and respect for all, the MOT has also adapted its experiential content for virtual programs for educators, students and parents.”

Virtual Classroom Series: Throughout the month of October, the CDE will host a series of virtual classroom sessions broadcast live throughout the state that will be designed to engage students, educators, and families in a wide-ranging dialogue about the many forms of bias young people across California face—and ways schools can lead efforts to end discrimination.

Roundtable with leaders: In the coming days, the State Superintendent will convene a public roundtable discussion among leaders from prominent racial and social justice organizations, educators, and state lawmakers to brainstorm additional ideas for ways schools can influence the change necessary to ensure a physically and emotionally safe learning environment that is inclusive for all students.

Several lawmakers, who have each worked on multiple fronts to advance equity, on Monday expressed their commitment to supporting this initiative, including:

• Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), Chair of the Senate Education Committee
• Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
• Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), Chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
• Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus
• Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus

“Sometimes in our darkest hour is when we do our best work. We know that racism and hate are taught, and we know that children are born loving everyone. You learn what you live, and unfortunately racism and hate are still being taught in living rooms across the state of California and across this country,” Senator Leyva said. “If we learn about each other, the hope is that we won’t hate each other. The hope is that we will know that we have more in common than not. I want to thank State Superintendent Thurmond for always taking on these big issues.”

“In a time when President Trump is attempting to convince Americans that discussing issues like race, gender, and sexual orientation are counterproductive to American ideals, California must take a stand,” Senator Wiener said. “Education is critical in combating hate and bias against LGBTQ people. I am proud to see that California is once again leading the fight against hate.”

"The pandemic brought with it a rise in hate against Asian Americans. We have seen this happen in other moments of national crisis and that's why I have worked on policies to address bullying and discrimination faced by our students," Assemblymember Chiu said. "The additional resources and strategies that Superintendent Thurmond has announced today will help ensure that our schools continue to be a safe place to learn."

“We know our children face racism and bigotry in their lives. Classrooms should serve as safe learning environments that allow students to process and understand these difficult experiences,” Assemblymember Gonzalez said. “Superintendent Thurmond’s initiative will help ensure students, parents, and teachers are prepared with the tools they need to confront racism, bigotry, and hate-based violence and to facilitate honest conversations about the realities students are facing every day.”

“Hate, bigotry, and racism should never be a part of our schools. As children continue their education during a challenging time, we must ensure their well-being is protected,” Assemblymember Limón said. “I applaud the efforts of the CDE and State Superintendent Thurmond to continue prioritizing and taking action on this issue.”

An archived broadcast of the full press conference can be viewed on the CDE’s Facebook page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

SSPI Launches "Education to End Hate" Initiative - (CA Dept of Education)

Child and Adult Care Food Programs Online Courses - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) - https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cacfponlinecourses.asp