A charter school in Ogden, Utah faced backlash recently for allowing parents to opt out of Black History Month lessons. The director of Maria Montessori Academy, Ethan Johnson, shared the controversial decision on a now-deleted private Facebook post. In the announcement, he mentioned that a few families had inquired about the option for their children, leading to the decision that he made “reluctantly.” Johnson expressed his disappointment, stating that “we should not shield our children from the history of our Nation, the mistreatment of its African American citizens, and the bravery of civil rights leaders.”
He emphasized that Black History Month would still be integrated into the school’s regular social studies and history curriculum, focusing on the contributions of African Americans. Data from the Utah State Board of Education indicates that only three out of the 322 students at the academy are Black.
Local Activist Responds
Local activist and founder of Black Lives Matter Utah, Jamie Rivers, condemned the opt-out decision, asserting that “you can’t opt out of black history. Black history is American history.” While Utah law permits parents to opt their children out of certain curriculum elements for religious or conscience reasons, a representative from the Utah State Board of Education clarified that students cannot be exempt from state Social Studies Standards, which encompass U.S. history and topics related to inequality and race relations.
Reversal of the Decision
Following the backlash, Johnson sent out a subsequent email to parents retracting the opt-out option and stating that no families had chosen to exclude their children from the planned activities. Parent Lisa Green expressed her dismay at the initial decision, stating, “I was appalled to see the form sent out that allows parents to opt their kids out of this.”
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In summary, a Utah charter school faced criticism for allowing parents to opt out of Black History Month curriculum, a decision that has since been overturned. The school’s director expressed his disappointment at the request and emphasized the importance of educating students about American history, including the struggles and achievements of African Americans.