If newly proposed social studies standards take effect, mention of climate change, Roe v. Wade and the Ku Klux Klan either will be eliminated or greatly reduced in Michigan public schools. A group of conservatives, led by gubernatorial candidate Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton Township, spearheaded the push for the changes. Colbeck defended the proposals as an attempt to remove political bias from school curriculum. Part of that effort included replacing the term "core democratic values" with "core values." It took the state four years to develop these proposed changes. The public has until June 30 to comment on them. MORE |