South Carolina schools receiving backlash after partnership with PragerU Kids program
COLUMBIA, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — South Carolina is now one of seven states in partnership with PragerU, a conservative media organization. Teachers and lawmakers alike have expressed concern and disappointment about the decision to align its education policies with them.
S.C. Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver sat down with Executive Director Marissa Streit for a 21-minute interview about the organization's goal for South Carolina schools.
PragerU representatives say the content is not for everyone, and that's OK.
"This is an opportunity to just tell everybody you're not forced to use this content, but you should really check it out because I think you're really going to enjoy it," Streit said during the interview.
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"We are so excited," Weaver said. "They know when they are teaching these resources, our kids are going to be getting the content we know that they need in order to have a great education."
PragerU is a conservative, nonprofit media organization that produces short videos advancing patriotism and conservative views of history, race, sex, and gender, among other topics.
Streit says employees reviewed the state's education standards to provide content that is "relatable" to those standards. The partnership is with PragerU Kids.
"PragerU content for kids is not political," Streit said. "We are teaching history. We're teaching civics. Now, if teaching American history or teaching civics is political in some people's opinion, well, I mean, that is their opinion. But ultimately, what we're trying to do is provide entertaining and valuable educational tools for the teachers to have an easier time engaging their children."
Streit says their goal is for people to have a lifelong learning experience that is fun and engaging and memorable.
"It should not be painful to get educated, which is why we provide entertainment within our educational products so that kids just love to rewatch our videos again and again."
She explained it's up to the adults to determine which content is most suitable for their classrooms.
"I think it really is up to the communities, the teachers, and the school boards to have the discernment to tell which of our videos are the right fit for their communities. And keep in mind, we're a national organization that provides so much content. We make more than 60 unique videos per week. And so, people will find things that are not relevant to them and they'll find things that are relevant to them," Streit continued.
Teachers and General Assembly members are opposing the decision. Some lawmakers say, "This terrible decision to partner with PragerU only further divides our state."
State Education Association President Sherry East says there is a disconnect between teachers and the state. The association released a statement warning state schools against using PragerU-produced material, claiming it would bring a non-educational organization into the classroom.
"On one hand, we don't allow teachers to teach AP-level African studies classes here in South Carolina because 'it was controversial', was what we were told. Well, the PragerU, it's not an accredited university," East said. "It's not an accredited affiliated anything. Very biased, very opinionated lessons that they produce, and they're being encouraged to use those.
"We're very concerned of these lessons because they're being introduced from the leadership or from the top that our folks will say they'll think they have to use it or it's required to use the resources," East continued.
East says teachers were not asked for input on the partnership.
"There is a process in place in South Carolina to review materials, to vet them, to allow people to have input. Not only teachers but parents as well is like a textbook committee review. So I don't think any of those steps were followed in the approval of the primary materials, which is concerning," East said.
The Association has looked into any legal ramifications of the partnership but because no state funds are being used and it's not mandatory, there's not much they can do.
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"Just make your teachers aware of the biases involved, aware that this resource that they are privy to may not actually be the best resource, just as we would do any resource check everything," East said.
PragerU officials plan to implement their videos in all states.
State Democrats will speak to the public Friday morning about the partnership.
"I'm OK with many tools being available in the tool bag if parents want to utilize them," S.C. Rep. Brandon Guffey (York County) told Queen City News. "This isn't a program that kids have to use, but have the option to should they choose too. I haven't spent much time on the site but haven't seen anything reported as red flags within PragerU."
