Posts by Mark Spooner
Can I Make a Difference?
The Problem Is the Fairfax County School Board is on the wrong track? If so, what can be done? The current Board seems unanimous in its commitment to race-centric education that focuses on “privilege,” “identity,” and so-called “equity,” so the task of turning things around seems daunting. The Board apparently assumes that since they were…
Read MoreRevealing Dialogue with a School Board Member
I recently had an interesting email discussion with a member of the Fairfax County School Board. Our exchange says a lot about how she, and perhaps other current Board members, think about educating our children. Background On January 13, 2022, I spoke in person at the School Board meeting. Thirteen individuals who have submitted applications…
Read MoreFairfax County’s Race-Centric Curriculum for US History
Introduction This post goes to the heart of what this website is all about: What is really being taught in Fairfax County public schools? It is a continuation of “Development of New ‘Anti-Racism’ Curriculum in Fairfax County,” January 16, 2022. That post outlines the School Board’s decision to revise the social studies curricula to stress…
Read MoreFairfax Schools Monitor Sues Fairfax Schools — Update
Last Thursday, January 13, Fairfax Schools monitor sued Fairfax County public schools and its Superintendent, Scott Braband, to obtain access to a videotape of Professor Ibram X. Kendi’s presentation to Fairfax school leaders in August 2020. The school system had denied a request for it under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). See “Fairfax Schools…
Read MoreGov. Youngkin’s Executive Order No. 1 Addresses Education
Glenn Youngkin was sworn in as Virginia Governor yesterday, January 15, 2022. As his first act in office, he signed Executive Order No. 1, which addresses Critical Race Theory and other divisive education policies. A copy of the Executive Order is HERE. The Order is a significant step in the right direction, but it is not…
Read MoreDevelopment of New “Anti-Racism Curriculum” in Fairfax County
Introduction The theme of the 2020-21 Leadership Kickoff Session for Fairfax County Public Schools (“FCPS”) on August 6, 2020 was “With Equity at the Center.” The school Superintendent, Scott Braband, spoke at length to school principals and administrators, declaring that now was “a defining moment” for “racial and social justice” in the school system. He…
Read MoreFairfax Schools Monitor Sues Fairfax Schools
Fairfax Schools Monitor filed suit today against Fairfax County Public Schools and its Superintendent, Scott Braband, to require them to produce a record that has been withheld from disclosure. During the past few months, we have been using the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) to obtain documents revealing the inner workings of the school…
Read MoreWhat “Stakeholder Groups” Does the School Board Seek Input From?
In formulating policy, the Fairfax County School Board and administrators will sometimes seek input from “stakeholder groups,” i.e., community groups that have an interest in the policies under review. Who are those groups? In 2020-2021, the School Board undertook a massive review and revision of school curricula for the purpose of devoting more attention to…
Read MoreInput on New Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools
The Fairfax County school system is conducting a search for a replacement of the outgoing Superintendent of Schools. A search firm has been retained. Community members have been invited to respond to a survey about what’s important in selecting the next Superintendent. Responses are anonymous. The survey includes multiple-choice questions and also a box for…
Read MoreIs It Okay For Schools To Teach About Race?
Is it appropriate for our public schools to teach children about racial issues? It’s an interesting question, and, in my view, there is no simplistic answer. I’m interested in how readers of this post would answer the question. Here’s the bottom-line of my current thinking: Proposed Principles Public schools should not — indeed, they realistically…
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