| | Florida, Arizona top 'Educational Freedom Report Card' | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Monday, September 12, and today's headlines include The Heritage Foundation's first "Educational Freedom Report Card," Tennessee Tech investigating an on-campus drag show, and Tuesday's ERACED Rally in Virginia to protest critical race theory. | | Florida has topped The Heritage Foundation's inaugural "Education Freedom Report Card," with the conservative public policy think tank declaring it is the most parent-friendly jurisdiction in the union, followed by Arizona, Idaho and Indiana. New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia rounded out the bottom of the list. The report card is comprised of four categories—school choice, transparency, regulatory freedom and spending—and utilizes 30 "discrete factors" to determine each state's score. Florida's top score was strongly influenced by its first place ranking in "academic transparency," with the report noting, "State officials approved a proposal that prohibits teachers and administrators from compelling students to affirm the prejudiced ideas of critical race theory. Lawmakers also approved a proposal that requires academic transparency so that parents and taxpayers can review classroom assignments before educators use such materials as part of K–12 instruction." The state's high score was also due to its education savings account (ESA) program, which it adopted in 2014. | | The report's authors cautioned that "[s]chools are teaching children to affirm the lie that America is systemically racist, despite seminal laws, such as the Civil Rights Act, and the monumental cultural shifts and racial progress brought on by the civil rights movement," and they called for transparency by allowing parents, taxpayers, and policymakers to have access to school curricula and other materials. "[P]arents should know if teachers assign homework from the Black Lives Matter Week of Action website, for example, so that they can have informed discussions with their children, school administrators, and board members," the authors wrote. Continue reading. | | P.S. Did you hear? CP has launched FreedomPost, a free, twice-weekly newsletter highlighting breaking news and headlines on key issues ranging from freedom to religious liberty. Sign-up today to get FreedomPost delivered to your inbox every Monday and Thursday. Check out these headlines from our latest issue of Freedom Post: Woman credits pro-life pregnancy center with saving her lifeDOJ official faces backlash over 'hate group' commentsChristian adoption agency can't be forced to accept same-sex, unmarried couples |
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| ERACED Rally: Loudoun County parents lead efforts to resist CRT in schools | | A coalition of parents is planning a rally Tuesday, September 13, in protest of the implementation of critical race theory in their children's public schools. The ERACED Rally is set for 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Loudoun County Public Schools headquarters in Ashburn, Va., ahead of the scheduled school board meeting. In an interview with The Christian Post, Elicia Brand, one of the event organizers, explained that some schools and districts have doubled down on their efforts to implement CRT despite Gov. Glenn Youngkin's executive order disallowing any type of critical theory instruction in schools. Brand explained how CRT proponents change names and meanings of words to pit students against each other on the basis of race. "I have a lot of teachers anonymously sending me their training material, and it contains the concepts of critical race theory. Very simply put, it’s race essentialism, saying one race is superior or inferior to another race. It’s anti-American, it’s anti-family, and it’s anti-transparency," Brand said. Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Lack of transparency, dismissive teachers the ‘breaking point’ for parents, school choice advocates sayAnti-CRT candidates flip school board majorities in 5 Florida counties | | Tennessee Tech investigating on-campus drag show that mocked Christianity in front of kids | | Tennessee Tech University says it's investigating a recent on-campus drag show and has canceled two similar upcoming shows, with President Phil Oldham saying he is "disturbed and dismayed." The move came after a video posted to social media showed a drag performer dancing suggestively to Hozier's "Take Me to Church" while making the sign of the cross before removing his brown cloak to reveal a corset-type outfit. The drag show, which was sponsored by Upper Cumberland Pride, was held at the on-campus Backdoor Playhouse last month. Anti-human-trafficking advocate Landon Starbuck noted that the performance "had little kids handing cash to the drag queen who was performing a dance clearly meant to mock Christians." Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Nancy Pelosi claims drag queens are 'what America is all about' on RuPaul's 'Drag Race'‘A drag queen in every school’ is modern left’s ‘chicken in every pot’Texas comptroller announces investigation into bar that hosted drag show for children |
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| A queen who talked about Jesus | | In this op-ed, Regent University's Rob Schwarzwalder explores the role of faith in Queen Elizabeth II's life. Schwarzwalder notes, "Billy Graham, in his autobiography Just As I Am, wrote of Elizabeth, 'Her official position … prevented her from openly endorsing our Crusade meetings. But by welcoming us and having me preach on several occasions to the royal family at Windsor and Sandringham, she (went) out of her way to be quietly supportive of our mission.'" Read more. | | Black lies matter | | Ryan Bomberger unpacks the Black Lives Matter movement and why he believes it was never about racial injustice. From co-founder Patrice Cullors' million-dollar homes to the Black Lives Matter Grassroots coalition filing a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation over accusations foundation leader Shalomyah Bowers stole $10 million from the organization, Bomberger calls out the movement's dishonesty and lack of financial accountability. "You’re not being oppressed, BLM. You’re being held accountable," Bomberger asserts. Read more. |
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| Helping Those Who Struggle with Grief | | Did you know that up to 40% of families in your church and community are blended families? | | Perhaps you parent within the framework of a blended family yourself and understand the complexities of stepfamily dynamics. | | Stepfamilies are born of loss. Every person and relationship has a shadow of sadness behind it. Unwanted loss often recalibrates our understanding of God and ourselves and therefore, reveals our need for grace. Read more. | | |
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| Death of Queen Elizabeth II: Church of England releases list of parish rules | | The Church of England has published guidance for its parishes, as they are expected to "play a key role in the life of the nation" during the period of national mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The recommendations include holding hybrid or online services for reflection and prayer and making "books of condolences" available physically and online until the day after the funeral. The Queen's state's funeral will take place on September 19 at 11 a.m. in Westminster Abbey. The Queen will lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days before her funeral, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. Read more. |
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