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Visitor Richard tells board ethnic-studies mandates politicize classrooms and urges 'American Experience Curriculum'
Summary
A visitor identified as Richard criticized Minnesota ethnic-studies mandates as politicized and urged adoption of an 'American Experience Curriculum'; he cited Minnesota statutes and warned of ideological influence on teacher licensure and professional development.
A visitor identified by the board as Richard addressed the St. Francis Area Schools board during public comment to criticize current K–12 ethnic-studies mandates and to urge a locally oriented civics curriculum.
Richard said Minnesota’s move to require ethnic-studies coursework and new licensure for ethnic-studies instructors risked politicizing classrooms and educator training. He cited state statute language and described the mandate as "dividing" ethnic-studies requirements across K–12. "Ethnic studies as a way of studying history, government, and society is not inherently illiberal by nature. It is easily politicized more so than the natural sciences for example," Richard said.
He told the board that activists and certain legislative actions had led to requirements that, in his view, emphasize identity and grievance rather than a broad civic understanding. Richard said a separate administrative action required implementation "within the social studies at all grade levels by 2026," and referred to statutory citations (described in his remarks as Minnesota statutes, including references to 120B provisions).
Richard also promoted a curricular alternative, saying the "American Experience Curriculum" had been developed as a civics option for districts and high school teachers. The board did not record an extended response to his remarks in the transcript.
