What does it mean when a government-funded institution refuses to endorse our country’s Supreme Law of the Land and the documents forming the basis of our national identity? Not only did Anchorage School District refuse to endorse the American Constitution and Declaration of Independence but took pains to sticker an “Anchorage School District does not endorse the materials or viewpoints expressed in them” disclaimer on the documents. Such a blatant attack on our most foundational documents which detail America’s most dearly held values and shapes the American identity requires explanation.
Which viewpoints contained in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence does ASD take umbrage with? As one of our most powerful societal institutions, American public education represents America’s principles and has a sacred duty to train future generations in those values.
MRAK was informed of ASD’s anti-American disclaimer by Katherine Hardy, whose daughter discovered the disclaimer pasted on a pamphlet of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence sent home with school kids.
Katherine’s daughter shared the following post on Facebook:
Today my daughter brought home a pamphlet with the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. On the back was a sticker saying that the Anchorage School District “does not endorse the materials or viewpoints expressed in them.”
I was honestly stunned. These aren’t controversial documents, they are the foundation of our country and what our students are supposed to be learning about. Why would a school need to distance itself from the very principles we are built on?
I fully support transparency in education and just want to understand this policy better. Parents deserve clarity. If outside materials are being sent home, especially involving American founding documents, the messaging should be thoughtful and not confusing to families.
I’ll be asking the district for an explanation.
ASD must answer for this action. ASD staff spent American taxpayer money to print the stickers and apply the disclaimer to America’s founding documents. Why?
Katherine Hardy has also informed staunch Constitution-defender Hillsdale College of the situation. She stated in an email to MRAK: “These are our founding documents, and this needs to be shared.”