Latest news with #EducationReform
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Oklahoma high schools to teach 2020 election conspiracy theories as fact
As part of the latest Republican push in red states to promote ideologies sympathetic to Donald Trump, Oklahoma's new social studies curriculum will ask high school students to identify 'discrepancies' in the 2020 election results. The previous standard for studying the 2020 election merely said: 'Examine issues related to the election of 2020 and its outcome.' The new version is more expansive: 'Identify discrepancies in 2020 elections results by looking at graphs and other information, including the sudden halting of ballot-counting in select cities in key battleground states, the security risks of mail-in balloting, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters, and the unprecedented contradiction of 'bellwether county' trends.' The revised curriculum standard comes at the behest of Ryan Walters, the state school superintendent, who has publicly voiced his support for Trump. In October, Walters lauded Trump in an interview, saying that 'Trump's won the argument on education'. Walters, who has also advocated for ending 'wokeness' in public schools, went on to say: 'We have education bureaucrats that are left-wing, elitist, that think they know best for families, and they have become so radicalized that our families are going: 'What is going on here?'' Oklahoma's new social studies standards for K-12 public school students, already infused with references to the Bible and national pride, were revised at Walters' direction. The Republican official has spent much of his first term in office not only lauding Trump but also feuding with teachers' unions and local school superintendents. 'The left has been pushing left-wing indoctrination in the classroom,' Walters said. 'We're moving it back to actually understanding history … and I'm unapologetic about that.' As part of his revisions, Walters also proposed removing education about Black Lives Matter and George Floyd's murder, Tulsa's NBC affiliate KJRH reports. The outlet further reported that the revisions were expected to cost the state's taxpayers $33m in new textbooks and related material. Other efforts by Walters include promoting Trump-endorsed Bibles across classrooms, as well as supporting an attempt to establish the US's first public religious charter school – a case the conservative-majority supreme court seems open to siding with. The new standard raised red flags even among Walters' fellow Republicans, including the governor and legislative leaders. They were concerned that several last-minute changes, including the language about the 2020 election and a provision stating the source of the Covid-19 virus was a Chinese lab, were added just hours before the state school board voted on them. A group of parents and educators have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to reject the standards, arguing they were not reviewed properly and that they 'represent a distorted view of social studies that intentionally favors an outdated and blatantly biased perspective'. While many Oklahoma teachers have expressed outrage at the change in the standards, others say they leave plenty of room for an effective teacher to instruct students about the results of the 2020 election without misinforming them. Aaron Baker, who has taught US government in high schools in Oklahoma City for more than a decade, said he's most concerned about teachers in rural, conservative parts of the state who might feel encouraged to impose their own beliefs on students. 'If someone is welcoming the influence of these far-right organizations in our standards and is interested in inserting more of Christianity into our practices as teachers, then they've become emboldened,' Baker said. 'For me, that is the major concern.' Leaders in the Republican-led Oklahoma legislature introduced a resolution to reject the standards, but there wasn't enough GOP support to pass it. Part of that hesitation likely stemmed from a flurry of last-minute opposition organized by pro-Trump conservative groups such as Moms for Liberty, which has a large presence in Oklahoma and threatened lawmakers who reject the standards with a primary opponent. 'In the last few election cycles, grassroots conservative organizations have flipped seats across Oklahoma by holding weak Republicans accountable,' the group wrote in a letter signed by several other conservative groups and GOP activists. 'If you choose to side with the liberal media and make backroom deals with Democrats to block conservative reform, you will be next.' After a group of parents, educators and other Oklahoma school officials worked to develop the new social studies standards, Walters assembled an executive committee consisting mostly of out-of-state pundits from conservative thinktanks to revise them. He said he wanted to focus more on American exceptionalism and incorporate the Bible as an instructional resource. Among those Walters appointed to the review committee were Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation and a key figure in its Project 2025 blueprint for a conservative presidential administration, and Dennis Prager, a radio talkshow host who founded Prager U, a conservative non-profit that offers 'pro-American' educational materials for children that some critics say are not accurate or objective. In a statement to the Associated Press, Walters defended teaching students about 'unprecedented and historically significant' elements of the 2020 presidential election. Recounts, reviews and audits in the battleground states where Trump contested his loss all confirmed Democrat Joe Biden's victory, and Trump lost dozens of court cases challenging the results. In addition to the curriculum revisions, a proposed rule approved by the state board of education in January mandates that parents enrolling their children in the state's public schools show proof of immigration status. Describing the rule, which has been met with widespread outrage among parents, students and immigration advocates, Walters said: 'Our rule around illegal immigration accounting is simply that … It is to account for how many students of illegal immigrants are in our schools.'
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
DPMs Ahmad Zahid and Fadillah extend Teachers' Day greetings
KUALA LUMPUR: The two Deputy Prime Ministers took to social media to extend their Teachers' Day greetings today, expressing appreciation and gratitude to all educators in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised that every success achieved today cannot be separated from the contributions of teachers who patiently guided students from the early stages of learning and instilled understanding of life's values. 'They are noble individuals who tirelessly impart knowledge and shape the character of future generations. 'I believe the strength of our national education system lies not only in policies and frameworks, but also in the dedication of teachers who educate with heart, guide with compassion, and build the future of our nation's children with sincerity,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, in a Facebook post. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof also extended his gratitude to educators who, without complaint, have sacrificed time and energy in fulfilling the noble duty of educating the nation's youth. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said this year's Teachers' Day theme, 'Teachers Driving Education Reform', highlights the strategic role of teachers as key movers in the transformation of the education system. 'Teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge, but agents of change who shape policy, pedagogy, and learning culture towards a more progressive direction. Deepest appreciation goes to our teachers for their commitment, sincerity, dedication and excellence in guiding students to become outstanding, virtuous individuals and proud citizens of the nation. 'Thank you to every individual called 'teacher'. May you continue to serve the nation and its people. Your contributions will always be remembered,' he said in his Facebook post, which also featured several verses from a poem by Ghazali Lateh. The national-level 54th Teachers' Day celebration for 2025 is being held in Kuching.
Times of Oman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian Schools in Oman to introduce AI courses from Class 5 onwards
Muscat: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, Syed Ahmad Salman, unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at aligning the Indian schooling system in Oman with emerging global educational trends, in a press briefing held on Saturday. These measures reflect a visionary enhancement in curriculum and infrastructure, designed to equip students and educators with future-ready skills and resources. As part of its strategic agenda for the 2025–27 term, the board has approved the introduction of Financial Literacy and AI (Artificial Intelligence) as part of the learning framework for students from Class 5 onwards. A comprehensive Financial Literacy programme is being rolled out across all Indian Schools in Oman from this week onwards. This initiative is designed to foster early awareness of financial principles, empowering students with the knowledge to manage personal and household finances effectively while sparking interest in finance as a professional pathway. The AI curriculum, which will be implemented immediately after the summer break, aims to provide students with foundational exposure to machine learning, algorithms, and responsible use of AI tools—setting a precedent for technology-led education within the region. Salman stated. 'The integration of AI into the curriculum marks a significant milestone. Our objective is not only to familiarise students with emerging technologies but also to nurture critical thinking, innovation, and digital fluency from a young age.' The Chairman, further emphasised the board's renewed commitment to infrastructure development across schools. An infrastructural audit is currently underway to ensure equity in access to facilities for all students, regardless of location. Major projects are in progress at Indian School Muscat (Jibroo campus), Indian School Darsait, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sur, and Indian School Salalah, with more schools lined up for development. In response to growing community demand, the board has also initiated feasibility studies to establish new Indian Schools in Barka and Sinaw, reaffirming its goal of expanding access to quality education in under-served regions. Recognising that the quality of education is intrinsically linked to the capabilities of its educators, the Board has commenced a Training Needs Assessment survey among teaching staff to identify key areas for Professional Development (PD). A structured PD roadmap will be formulated based on these insights to enhance instructional quality across the network. In a first-of-its-kind move, this nascently formed board has also consented for the establishment of a Sports Academy under the supervision of the Sports Committee. The academy will nurture and train students with sporting potential and ambition, offering them structured pathways to pursue careers in sports and allied fields. Salman concluded by reiterating the board's student-centric vision: 'Every initiative taken by this board is directed towards the holistic development of our students—preparing them as global citizens, critical thinkers, and confident individuals in a rapidly evolving world.' He called upon the parent community and all stakeholders to extend their wholehearted support in embracing and advancing these progressive changes within the Indian Schooling ecosystem in Oman.
Times of Oman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian Schools in Oman embark on AI and Financial Literacy to future-proof learning
Muscat: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, Syed Ahmad Salman, unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at aligning the Indian schooling system in Oman with emerging global educational trends, in a press briefing held on Saturday. These measures reflect a visionary enhancement in curriculum and infrastructure, designed to equip students and educators with future-ready skills and resources. As part of its strategic agenda for the 2025–27 term, the board has approved the introduction of Financial Literacy and AI (Artificial Intelligence) as part of the learning framework for students from Class 5 onwards. A comprehensive Financial Literacy programme is being rolled out across all Indian Schools in Oman from this week onwards. This initiative is designed to foster early awareness of financial principles, empowering students with the knowledge to manage personal and household finances effectively while sparking interest in finance as a professional pathway. The AI curriculum, which will be implemented immediately after the summer break, aims to provide students with foundational exposure to machine learning, algorithms, and responsible use of AI tools—setting a precedent for technology-led education within the region. Salman stated. 'The integration of AI into the curriculum marks a significant milestone. Our objective is not only to familiarise students with emerging technologies but also to nurture critical thinking, innovation, and digital fluency from a young age.' The Chairman, further emphasised the board's renewed commitment to infrastructure development across schools. An infrastructural audit is currently underway to ensure equity in access to facilities for all students, regardless of location. Major projects are in progress at Indian School Muscat (Jibroo campus), Indian School Darsait, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sur, and Indian School Salalah, with more schools lined up for development. In response to growing community demand, the board has also initiated feasibility studies to establish new Indian Schools in Barka and Sinaw, reaffirming its goal of expanding access to quality education in under-served regions. Recognising that the quality of education is intrinsically linked to the capabilities of its educators, the Board has commenced a Training Needs Assessment survey among teaching staff to identify key areas for Professional Development (PD). A structured PD roadmap will be formulated based on these insights to enhance instructional quality across the network. In a first-of-its-kind move, this nascently formed board has also consented for the establishment of a Sports Academy under the supervision of the Sports Committee. The academy will nurture and train students with sporting potential and ambition, offering them structured pathways to pursue careers in sports and allied fields. Salman concluded by reiterating the board's student-centric vision: 'Every initiative taken by this board is directed towards the holistic development of our students—preparing them as global citizens, critical thinkers, and confident individuals in a rapidly evolving world.' He called upon the parent community and all stakeholders to extend their wholehearted support in embracing and advancing these progressive changes within the Indian Schooling ecosystem in Oman.
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Pope Leo XIV's greatest challenge, Newark needs action now, and more from Fox News Opinion
HANNITY – Fox News host unfurls President Donald Trump's deal with the United Kingdom. Continue watching… HUGH HEWITT – 'REAL ID' is coming for you. Continue reading… UNITED AIRLINES CEO – Newark Liberty Airport needs action now. Continue reading… GOV. KATHY HOCHUL – Why New York is saving education by getting phones out of classrooms. Continue reading… HABEMUS PAPAM – Pope Leo XIV's greatest challenge is already changing the world. Continue reading… RAYMOND ARROYO – Fox News contributor unpacks the Yankee great's politics-free, motivational speech to graduates. Continue watching… CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' – Green new scam could cost you $20,000. Continue reading… DEI IS DEAD – Here's what should come next. Continue reading… INK OVER EMAIL – Why handwritten notes still win in business. Continue reading… CARTOON OF THE DAY – Check out all of our political cartoons…
