A blue state government-run school left parents “very upset” over a “biased” lesson on the 2024 election that read as pure propaganda.
(Video Credit: Hawaii News Now)
Teachers in a Hawaii middle school had a lot of explaining to do to parents after their “simplifications” of the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris were seen to be demonizing the GOP leader.
From background information to issues promoted for contrast by the New York Times including climate, crime, and LGBTQ rights, the language left little wonder as to which candidate was preferred at Kapolei Middle School west of Honolulu.
“This is being taught at our public schools!!” said a concerned U.S. Navy veteran sharing images of the two-page handout on X. “This is nothing but lies and clearly the @HSTAvoice propaganda and misinformation.”
This is being taught at our public schools!! @KeithHayashi808 and Chair Takumi you have some explaining to do!! This is nothing but lies and clearly the @HSTAvoice propaganda and misinformation. @HIDOE808 @HawaiiBOE @khvh @HawaiiFreePress @HawaiiNewsNow pic.twitter.com/EqcEn59zJ3
— Duty Is Ours! (@Duty_Is_Ours) November 1, 2024
Some of the side-by-side comparisons included stating that Trump “Sends soldiers to cities” and “Wants to make it easier to guns [sic]” while Harris “Gives money to police” and “Wants to make new rules about how we deal with criminals.”
For the background information provided to students 11- and 12 years old, Harris’s heritage was described while the president’s impeachments and felony charges were listed before the vice president was praised for wanting to “keep our country a democracy” and the GOP leader was labeled as “Tried to overturn 2020 election.”
Further, the “border czar” was lauded for wanting “more people watching the border” while Trump was said to take “children away from their parents.”
“I think teachers should do their job as teachers; stick to education and not politics,” said parent Angel Morales to Hawaii News Now while describing her reaction as “Very upset.”
Likewise, another mother of a government-run school student stated, “I thought it was a little biased. I don’t think that it is right especially at that age level.”
Not everyone was bothered in the heavily Democratic Party-favoring state as parent Christine Russo told the outlet, “It doesn’t bother me. I actually value that because it’s important to teach students, how do we make informed decisions when we go to the ballot box.”
In response to the backlash, Hawaii’s Department of Education defended the “simplification” in a statement, “The Department aims to engage students in civic topics thoughtfully and impartially. Teachers simplified this information to make it accessible for young students, striving to remain factual and unbiased. The intent was to encourage independent thinking and discussion among students, not to promote any particular view.”
“We acknowledge that the interpretation and simplification of complex issues can sometimes result in perceived imbalances, particularly when presenting nuanced political topics to younger audiences, but we remain committed to maintaining a balanced learning environment,” the DOE continued.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii State Teachers Association stated, “Both the HSTA, Board of Education and the DOE support student discussion of issues that may generate opposing points of view as an important part of the learning process. Age-appropriate civic education helps students develop a meaningful awareness and respect for the U.S. Constitution and individual rights. It fosters students’ recognition of individual freedom and social responsibility to vote. Teachers create lessons to allow students to study, investigate, process, and develop their own opinions about the world and themselves.”
Criticism continued online as social media users tore into the blatant propaganda.
One more reason to homeschool your kids!!!
— What The Hell (@whatthe57619260) November 5, 2024
That’s crazy, they’re crazy! The parents in Kapolei better stand up about this, there are a lot of military families in the area.
— stickinit (@stickinit) November 4, 2024
This is insane that a group of teachers actually put the documents together themselves.
They should all be fired.
— Based Electrician⚡️ (@RyanHugeBrain) November 4, 2024
Your statement regarding the activist lies printed and given to students at Kapolei MS is disgusting and shameful. DO YOUR JOB PROPERLY. Otherwise you are a disservice to all families of school aged in children in HI. Shame on you!
— Janie Smith (@JanieSC2022) November 5, 2024
When education starts sounding like propaganda, everyone should be concerned.
— OneXOneY (@OneXOneY) November 4, 2024
The educational system is disgusting now.
— Stefanie (@MidWestStef) November 4, 2024
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