High Country Times

Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean chaired a hearing on K-12 curricula titled "Back to Basics: America's Founding, Civics, Self-Government in K-12 Curricula." In his statement, Bean expressed concerns about the current state of education in the United States.

Bean quoted Jim Rohn, saying, "'Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it,' and in no place is this truer than in our nation’s classrooms." He highlighted research by NWEA Research indicating that students are behind academically due to the pandemic. "The average U.S. student would need more than four months of school to catch up to pre-pandemic achievement levels," he noted.

Bean criticized what he described as a focus on "woke and divisive Marxist inspired ideology" instead of helping students recover from pandemic setbacks. He argued that Critical Race Theory (CRT) is reshaping how young people view themselves and others. "CRT teaches that every interaction between people is a struggle between 'oppressors' and 'victims,'" Bean stated.

He provided examples such as California's Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and New York City's Black Studies curriculum as instances where CRT influences education. Additionally, he mentioned gender ideology being taught in Chicago public schools.

Bean also pointed out that the U.S. Department of Education has been supporting these educational approaches by tying diversity priorities to grant programs. He emphasized alternatives like 1776 Unites and other organizations promoting civic literacy.

"The stakes could not be higher," Bean warned, arguing against what he sees as educational malpractice. He called for a return to teaching American founding principles and self-governance.

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