Why the Push for “Neutrality” in Schools Hurts Students and Hides the Truth

Culture wars around the way American students experience their K-12 education are heating up for “back to school.” The 2021-2022 school year initiated the newest and most aggressive attacks on public education by the pro-privatization and hyper-political crowd. A steady stream of attacks accompanied the objective to discredit schools through topics like non-existent “CRT,” book bans, and furries.  

The resulting extremism divided communities and labeled beloved teachers as “people you wouldn’t want to babysit your kids for 20 minutes,” according to a recent speech by the former president. However, time on the front lines of these school culture wars shows a need for attackers to consider softening their message. 

Extreme School Board Platforms Are Falling Flat 
The Hill reports the divisive school board takeover strategy is failing. There could be a few reasons for this. First, most parents, regardless of political affiliation, say they’re satisfied with their children’s schools and what’s being taught in them. They also love their teachers. Another reason is those who instigated the attacks have been as clear as day from the get-go about their objectives to dismantle public education through manufactured crises. The whole effort is highly inauthentic and irrelevant to most schools. 

As a result, candidates campaigning on these extreme, axe-to-grind platforms have not come out with the “W.” 

Public School “Neutrality” is the Latest Harmful Demand   
If the ultimatums on eliminating made-up litter boxes in bathrooms aren’t panning out (no pun intended), then the next best thing to request is for “nothing” to take place in public schools. A blanket ask for neutrality is surfacing as the latest topic for school board comments. 

The neutrality demand is a new catch-all, covering everything from the way students learn history to the way they express their identity. 

In a perfect neutral world, students and educators will attend school and make it through the day without mentioning a peep about their personal lives or the make-up of their families. There will be no photos on teachers’ desks. There will be no acknowledgement of current events with the opportunity to answer students’ questions through responsive teaching. There will be no asking how a child is feeling after observing another tragedy on TV because school is no place for “social emotional learning.” To neutrality fans, school is for reading, writing, arithmetic and nothing more. 

Not surprisingly, educators, experts, and students find the ask for “neutrality” highly problematic. 

According to USA Today, “Restrictions on lessons about race or bans on inclusive signage have made school harder for kids of color and LGBTQ students, teens said. In November 2021, the paper published a troubling article bearing the headline, “Culture wars have taken hold of school boards and Students say their well-being is at risk.”

They report, “For students, much more is at stake now than politics. Varying bans or threats of them have made school harder for kids.” 

It also notes adult disagreements have produced tensions for all. Decreasing signs of safety and inclusion make it harder for kids on the margins to learn. A teacher added, "We know you can't learn if you feel like you're under threat." 

Students say signals of support and acceptance are important to them – and they worry about adults trying to take them away. For example, simply having some students’ pronouns recognized reduces their suicide attempts by half. 

It’s important to remember that trained educators follow data to support kids, not to force their beliefs. 

On another level, the ask for neutrality in discussing history and current events risks teaching the truth. 

The National Education Association acknowledges the difficulty of teaching during this era of polarization. 

“Fueled by misinformation and dehumanization, extreme or "affective" polarization is a threat to our democratic values. While teachers should always be careful about overstepping boundaries, “Neutrality" in the classroom is counterproductive if it prevents educators from correcting misinformation and calling out toxic, divisive and racist statements by public personalities.”

Neutrality is the latest topic entering the revolving door of grievances against public education, and it surely won’t be the last. 

Review our guide to disinformation to learn about the origins and facts surrounding other common topics lobbed at school board members and continue to turn to Support FHPS for information on how to support our schools and educators.