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Public commenters and board debate differing views on ethnic studies during informational briefing
Summary
Public commenters at the Washington State Board of Education meeting urged two divergent views: several parents and academics warned that a "liberated" anti‑racist framing risks politicizing K–12 instruction, while a board presentation framed ethnic studies as academically rigorous and culturally sustaining; the board requested further study and outreach.
At a lengthy informational session on Aug. 14, the Washington State Board of Education heard sharply divergent public comment on proposed ethnic‑studies guidance and received a two‑part staff and board presentation underscoring statutory background, research and pedagogical definitions.
During the public‑comment segment six speakers addressed ethnic studies and related issues. Susie Hanson, executive director of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, urged the board to recognize accreditation in place of redundant state licensing for private boarding schools and to limit duplicative inspections, saying, “This duplication of efforts is ineffective and wasteful of both the schools and the taxpayers' resources.”
Multiple commenters focused on the proposal’s framing as "liberated ethnic studies" or an explicitly anti‑racist lens. Sonia Brown said requiring a liberated ethnic‑studies curriculum "would actually be harmful to our students" and argued it risks…
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