Derek Monson
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Report calls Utah civics, history standards ‘mediocre’ – despite their strengths – compared with other states
NPR recently published a news story about a Fordham Institute report rating state K-12 civics and history standards across the U.S. based on their content, rigor, clarity and organization. Utah was rated “mediocre” with a C grade in both areas.
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Survey results suggest civics is a priority to Utah communities of color
A recently released opinion survey of parents and teachers in Utah found broad support for civics education reform that prioritizes civics and history education on par with math and language arts. But is that also true for Utah’s communities of…
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Pandemic lesson: Curriculum transparency helps parents, can improve civics education
Clearly, curriculum transparency can provide a useful tool for parents who want to ensure that their children are getting the best education possible. But it can also be done in ways that help make teachers’ jobs easier as well.
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Critical race theory – in the words of critical race theorists
Of course, while there are problems with CRT, the real source of our problems is the need to reform civics education in Utah.
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What Biden’s infrastructure deal says about our civic fabric
What does this agreement between senators and a president of different political parties on a major piece of federal legislation and spending say about our civic fabric?
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Supreme Court’s Fulton decision denies both extremes, shows a better way
A better way is both possible and doable. We just have to be willing to be the kind of people who can accomplish it.
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Better civics ed is the real answer in critical race theory debate
Both the State Board of Education and the Utah Legislature recently took initial steps to address public concerns over the possibility of the ideas of critical race theory (CRT) showing up in K-12 classrooms. But is the debate actually focusing…
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The hard work on critical race theory is just beginning
Those who genuinely prioritize the improvement of Utahns’ lives (including the next generation’s education) through good public policy – as opposed to those who prioritize a personal, political, ideological or policy agenda – should strive to accomplish it. If we…
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The For the People Act is really just the opposite
Now is not the time to further divide our country, erode trust in elections and chill speech.
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Cox and legislators make wise move on critical race theory
Because we as a people – policymakers and the public alike – share desired outcomes, we can be optimistic in our ability to create good policy around controversial issues like critical race theory.