Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has removed a “woke” teacher resource book from her state’s pre-K programs — while also forcing the bureaucrat who supported the book to resign.
Ivey released a statement about her decision, calling out the “woke concepts” being pushed on children.
“The education of Alabama’s children is my top priority as governor, and there is absolutely no room to distract or take away from this mission. Let me be crystal clear: Woke concepts that have zero to do with a proper education and that are divisive at the core have no place in Alabama classrooms at any age level, let alone with our youngest learners,” the statement read, according to The Hill.
The Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education secretary, Barbara Cooper, has since resigned over the book. According to Ivey’s office, the governor pushed for Cooper to “send a memo to disavow this book and to immediately discontinue its use.” While Cooper’s response to the demand was not shared, the governor’s office stated that they had subsequently decided to replace her and accept her resignation.
Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola said the book was a teacher resource called the National Association for the Education of Young Children Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book, according to Politico.
Good!! Gov. Kay Ivey denounces ‘woke’ preschool training book, ousts state official – https://t.co/sob6c4mJv0 https://t.co/Uw80Zh0B6c
— Margaret Auburn Grad 1776 (@MargaretAUGrad) April 22, 2023
In her statement, Ivey noted that the “woke” book had content “that is simply not in line with what the Ivey Administration or the people of Alabama stand for or believe,” noting that it “invokes ideas for teachers that there are ‘larger systemic forces that perpetuate systems of white privilege.’”
The governor’s spokesperson Gina Maiola has identified the book as a teacher resource titled the “National Association for the Education of Young Children Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book,” Politico reported.
This book pushes Critical Race Theory (CRT) concepts, stating that “systemic and structural racism… has permeated every institution and system through policies and practices that position people of color in oppressive, repressive, and menial positions. The early education system is not immune to these forces.”
The teacher resource also promotes gender ideology, stating that children from LGBT families “need to hear and see messages that promote equality, dignity, and worth” in schools.
Ivey stated on Friday that children in pre-K should not be focused on ideology, and should instead “be focused on the fundamentals, such as reading and math.”
“Alabama’s First Class Pre-K is the best in the country, and those children are at too critical of a juncture in their educational journeys and development to get it wrong,” the governor said, according to Fox News.
“I remain confident in the wonderful teachers we have in pre-K classrooms around our state and in the necessity of our children receiving a strong start to their educational journeys in our First Class Pre-K program,” Ivey added.
