Prepared Remarks for "Honesty in Education" Rally at the Statehouse Against Proposed Ohio HB 616: Teaching Divisive Topics Bill
Delivered on June 16, 2022
Columbus, Ohio
Honesty and truth over lies.
My name is Dr.
Brad Maguth, Professor, of Social Studies Education, & Immediate Past
President of the Ohio Council for the Social Studies. It truly is a pleasure to
have the privilege to talk to you, as we rally at the Statehouse today,
together, for Honesty and truth over lies.
Yes, Honesty
and truth over lies.
I’ve had the
pleasure of teaching social studies for the past twenty years, at the high
school and post-secondary levels. As a Professor, I’m now truly blessed through
my research and teaching to be able to work with, be inspired by, and help
prepare social studies teachers from across the state to enter and thrive in
our profession.
Let me be
clear, if passed, Ohio House Bill 616, would be consequential and harmful in
the teaching and learning of History and Social Studies. The Ohio Council for
the Social Studies, the state’s largest professional organization dedicated to
the advancement of social studies, is on record, through its direct testimonies,
published position statements, and advocacy work, to report HB 616 and others
like it are deeply hostile to affording all Ohio youth a high-quality and
legitimate social studies education. Our position is clear, this bill is
dangerous. It runs counter to the mission of the social studies in preparing youth
for this nation’s highest office, that of Citizen in a multicultural democracy.
The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and
reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse,
democratic society, in an interdependent world. Educators and parents from
across the state understand a high-quality civic and social studies education doesn’t
run away from divisive issues. Instead it runs toward them, in order to sustain
our democracy in tough times, to ensure a government of the people, by the
people, for the people, shall not perish from this Earth.
We stand
ready to push back against any legislative effort that poisons rather than liberates
young minds through the study of history. We refuse to allow this legislature
to provide safe-haven and sanctuary in our classrooms or communities to white
nationalism, racism, patriarchy, homophobia, transphobia, or any other form of
discrimination and injustice. Why? Because we value and will forever defend:
Honesty and
truth, over lies.
The bill criminalizes
and outlaws districts from selecting textbooks, instructional materials, or
curricula that center and challenge systematic and institutionalized racism, to
learn from this nation’s failures to grow into a more perfect Union. This
provision would produce a “chilling effect” in the classroom, as students and
educators refrain from discussing racial (or anti-racial) matters in society or
history for fear of retribution. Let’s be clear, Critical Race Theory, a
graduate level theoretical framework that underpins research, is not found
anywhere in K12 state standards, all approved and adopted by the Ohio
Legislature. The sponsors and proponents of this bill have failed to address,
if passed, how districts will meet state and federal mandates related to diversity,
equity, and inclusion, and established guidelines by the College Board for
Advanced Placement credit.
Let’s be
clear, HB 616 would create a hostile and fearful classroom environment for the
inclusion of LGBTQ+ history, movements, and contributions. This includes
elementary youth learning about the rich diversity of Ohio’s families (some
have 2 moms, 2 grandmas, 2 aunts), and youth being exposed to queer role-models.
As Nina West, Columbus’ local drag superstar reminds us, it’s never been as
important to let queer youth know, you’re incredible, brilliant, and beautiful.
LGBTQ youth are already deeply vulnerable, with higher rates of homelessness
and suicide. This type of censorship only exacerbates disturbing messages and
lies sent to youth and adult educators that being queer means being broken or
less than. It’s paramount we lead with:
Honesty and
truth, over lies.
We
are deeply troubled that 616 has punitive measures in place for anyone reported in
violation of this bill. This means that if a disgruntled parent, student, or
fellow educator, believes a teacher is not handling a race, gender identity,
or LGBTQ+ matter in an “age or developmentally appropriate manner” the professional
educator can have their license suspended or revoked by the State. It’s time the
Ohio Legislature start treating teachers like the professionals they are, and only
then can we start to move towards reversing the wave of recent inflicted educator
resignations and retirements. In fact, research indicates enrollment in our
Ohio colleges and universities in teacher preparation is down 40% over the past
ten years. We must do better to recruit and retain Ohio’s finest in one of our
most noble profession’s, teaching. It starts with:
Honesty and
truth, over lies.
Rest
assured, we at the Ohio Council for the Social Studies are steadfast partners
in working to stop this bill. We refuse to let Ohio lawmakers use our history
curriculum as a weapon, one that poison’s its youth from the truth. Instead, we
march in solidarity onward with each of you to ensure
Honesty and
truth, over lies.
Thank you
