Amid new reports that the overwhelming majority of Fairbanks public school students continue to languish below basic proficiency in reading, math and science, the Fairbanks School Board is set to vote on a resolution that encourages schools to carve out time to promote LGBTQ priorities, including the teaching of so-called “LGBTQ history.”
The resolution comes just weeks after published results from statewide testing shows that 65% of Fairbanks students are below basic proficency in reading, 68% are below in math, and 57% are below in science.
The latest academic test results show the vast majority of Fairbanks students (see orange and yellow bars) are below proficiency in reading, math and science.
While numerous parents have repeatedly urged the school board to cease promoting divisive social agendas and focus its energies on basic core academics, the board is set to vote on a resolution at its Sept. 17 meeting, which calls on all schools to mark LGBTQ History Month throughout October.
The proposed resolution asserts that “the LGBTQ community is a growing asset to the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District,” and the accomplishments, history and culture of this group should be celebrated communitywide.
Without citing any specific studies, the resolution claims that focusing on internal policies for LGBTQ students and staff “directly promotes academic and social success.”
It goes on to claim that the local school district “serves as a role model for inclusion, equity, protection, and representation for all of its students, staff members, and diverse communities,” and that the celebration of LGBTQ History Month can help “expose the prejudice and discrimination that LGBTQ people face based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and to celebrate their diversity and accomplishments from a source of empowerment and engagement.”
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The resolution fails to define exactly what accomplishments it aims to acknowledge. Likewise, it does not define what prejudice and discrimination it seeks to expose.
In practice, however, the Fairbanks School District already actively seeks to promote the idea that a child can choose to reject their given sexuality in favor of a new preferred “gender identity.” The school offers classes, bathroom policies and numerous mandates regarding LGBTQ pronoun usage, student name changes and LGBTQ wardrobe allowances.
The district also has a policy, which instructs teachers and staff to hide a child’s so-called “gender transition” or “sexual identity” from parents whom educators deem unsupportive.
TAKING ACTION
— Click here to contact Fairbanks School Board members.
— Click here for information on how to participate in the upcoming Sept. 17 school board meeting.
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