Today, President Trump issued an executive order threatening to defund local community schools that teach accurate and inclusive history and work to ensure our youth feel safe and supported so that they can best learn. This order is a dangerous attack on our students, parents, teachers, and schools.
Dr. Bruce Parker, COO of Rocky Mountain Equality, responded:
“The responsibility to educate all of our youth so that they are equipped for success and to be good citizens is a fundamental tenet of American culture and one of our most central values. Ensuring students are safe, affirmed, and supported while being taught accurate and inclusive curriculum is the only way to do that. This order weaponizes the federal government against our youth, parents, and teachers."
“Our schools have the sacred responsibility to protect our democracy and to teach real patriotism to our students. That is only possible when teachers are allowed to teach students how to respect themselves and others regardless of their identities and backgrounds. Empathy, critical thinking, and kindness are fundamental American values, and this order is threatening any teacher or school that chooses to teach them.
“This executive action undermines those vital educational principles and threatens to deprive students of meaningful learning opportunities. If the President has his way, American students will be further behind students in other countries because their education will be entirely influenced by politics and misguided understandings of patriotism. History and science aren’t opinions. They are facts and what we should teach in our schools."
“Equally troubling is the attempt to punish schools that respect the identities of transgender and non-binary students. Acknowledging students by their chosen names and pronouns is a fundamental act of respect that has a direct impact on their mental health, self-esteem, and academic success. The results of this order for trans and non-binary youth and their families are terrifying to consider."
“Rocky Mountain Equality stands firmly against these measures. We will continue to support educators and institutions that foster inclusive, affirming learning environments and advocate for every student's right to feel safe, seen, and valued at school. We urge policymakers, educators, and advocates to stand together against this harmful directive and to work tirelessly for an education system that works for all students.”