Latest news with #USHistory
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Virginia governor vetoed bill to make Black history classes count towards graduation. What's next?
Black members of the 1887-88 Virginia General Assembly. Then-state Sen. John Robinson is pictured on the far left of the back row. (Photo courtesy of Encyclopedia of Virginia) A Northern Virginia faith leader and parent said she will continue asking state lawmakers to make two African-American history courses count towards the state's graduation requirements for history, after the governor — who vetoed the measure and whose four-year term is sunsetting — leaves office. Pastor Michelle Thomas, president of the NAACP Loudoun Branch, and Robin Reaves Burke of the Loudoun Freedom Center proposed the concept to state Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun, shortly after the commonwealth added African American History and AP African American Studies to the list of courses permitted to be taught in public high schools. Sen. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, and Reid successfully passed the proposal through the General Assembly with some amendments. On March 24, Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed an amendment requiring the General Assembly to pass the proposal again in 2026, but lawmakers did not accept it. Youngkin then vetoed the bill, stating that it would cause students to miss 'key concepts essential to understanding how historical world events have shaped our modern economy, government, and international relations.' Thomas was surprised and disappointed by the decision, she said. 'You can't divorce African American history from the founding of America. It is the absolute foundation of American history, and so to try to marginalize this and say students shouldn't be learning it, or it's not as important as mainstream history, or the history that he's trying to tell is absolutely ridiculous,' Thomas said in a statement last week. Thomas said she first considered proposing the legislation after her daughter was interested in taking an African American studies course and seeking flexibility with her class schedule towards meeting her graduation requirements. Under Virginia's standard diploma requirements, students are required to take U.S. History, Virginia and U.S. Government, and either World History or Geography. The bill would have given the students the option to substitute African American History or AP African American Studies studies with World History or Geography. Virginia's diploma requirements concerning history Standard Diploma US History Virginia and U.S. Government One other course in World History or Geography Advanced diploma All four are required. Proposed standard diploma (House Bill 1824 in the 2025 GA session – vetoed by governor) US History Virginia and U.S. Government World History or Geography or African American Studies or AP African American Studies 'While I am supportive of expanding choices in what classes students may take to satisfy graduation requirements, we must ensure that classes that replace others are germane to the comprehensive goals of high school education standards,' Youngkin wrote in his veto statement. But Thomas defended the proposal. 'We're not saying 'do away' or 'you can take this or that.' You can take all of them,' Thomas said. 'You can take World History II, if parents feel like World History I and World History II are important. But for those parents (and students) who believe African American history is also and equally important, allow them to get graduation credit for it.' She said she also believes the governor's decision falls in line with a national agenda to minimize or remove public references to Black history, and could align with his future political plans. The curriculum has been continually debated by the public, education leaders and Youngkin's administration during the governor's entire time in office, which concludes in January. The first AP African American studies course was added last year, but not without controversy — Youngkin's education department proposed dozens of revisions before its approval, the Washington Post reported. Reid said in a statement that he was disappointed by the governor's decision and plans to reintroduce the bill at the next session, beginning in January. 'The governor chose to ignore the very values he outlined in Executive Order One on his first day in office — his stated commitment to teach the full story of American history,' said Reid. 'Instead, he allowed political fear to override principle and missed an opportunity to give parents and students more choice in how they learn our shared history.' He also said Virginia history and African American history are important parts of America's origin story, citing the significance of the first House of Burgesses — the first democratically-elected legislative body in what would become America — and the arrival of the first Africans in present-day Hampton, both defining events that took place in Virginia roughly two weeks and 40 miles apart. 'Virginia history is African American history, is American history,' Reid said. 'Our children deserve to learn the truth of our shared story — and they deserve the freedom to choose how they learn it.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Des Moines middle school history teacher earns Golden Apple
DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines Public Schools teacher is using history lessons to help students become better citizens for the future. Patrick Brennan teaches US History to eighth graders at Merrill Middle School and is known for what's in his mug. 'This class runs off of tea,' Brennan said. 'People like how he drinks tea a lot,' student Payton Rayburn said. 'He can't go in class without drinking tea. That's one defining characteristic of him.' Mr. Brennan is also known to make his students think. 'Social studies is really about critical thinking,' Brennan said. Nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award! Mr. Brennan is often the one asking the questions in his classroom. His students say the answers don't always come easily. 'You have to come up with it yourself,' student Jersey Durham said. 'And when we're doing class discussions, he keeps on pushing you and pushing you until you get it, but he never tells you the answer.' Except when we asked him why he wanted to become a teacher. 'Oh, that's a solid question,' Brennan said. 'To indirectly change the world. I ask the questions, the students determine how they feel about things, and they're the ones who change the world. You know, they're the future.' It's that teaching philosophy that made students nominate their history teacher for a Golden Apple. 'This is truly an honor. Thank you all so very much,' Brennan said after accepting the award. 'You guys have made this quite easy on me. This is by far one of the best years I've ever had teaching and that's because of all of you.' It's a special moment for Brennan and his students. 'When we heard it was him, we all – me and my friends – jumped out of our seats and we were all so happy. It was awesome. We were really excited for him,' Rayburn said. 'When we nominated him, I didn't think he was actually going to get it,' Durham said. 'So when he did it made me really happy because he really does deserve it.' A deserving teacher whose family now has two Golden Apple awards. 'It's a really special award,' Brennan's son, Rigby, said. 'And it's very nice when you see it.' Brennan's wife, Stephanie, also received the award when she was a teacher at Lincoln High School in 2018. 'It's definitely full circle to get to see that come to fruition and see your hopes and dreams come true with your partner,' Stephanie Brennan said. She now teaches at Roosevelt High School, where Merrill Middle School students will go next. Both parents are teaching at the schools their kids will attend. Mr. Brennan will have his daughter as a student next year. It's a class she's looking forward to. 'Because he's a really good teacher and I like to learn,' Finnley Brennan said. 'And with him as a teacher, he can help me do that.' More: Golden Apple Award winners Mr. Brennan helps students learn and prepare for life. 'He's making them citizens for the future, right? And making them passionate about voting and their rights and he's teaching them history,' Stephanie Brennan said. 'And that's what's so important right now. And he does such a good job and makes kids really think for life about their place in this world and history and what they need to do to be better for the world.' A world where Mr. Brennan still has a cup of tea in one hand, and now a Golden Apple in the other. 'These are some of the most amazing human beings I've met in my life and the fact that they were so proud and excited made me feel incredible,' Brennan said. 'Getting that recognition was just above and beyond.' This is Mr. Brennan's second year at Merrill Middle School. Before that, he was at Meredith Middle School for about a decade. You can watch the full interview with him below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
