Test scores plunge despite California school throwing $250,000 on "Woke Kindergarten" program

By richardbrown // 2024-02-08

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In an attempt to address disparities and remove barriers related to racism and oppression, Glassbrook Elementary School in Hayward, California, implemented a "Woke Kindergarten" program. The program, backed by a three-year $250,000 contract with Woke Kindergarten, aimed to improve student performance by addressing learning barriers such as racism and white supremacy. However, after two years of implementation, not only did the test scores fail to show significant improvement, they actually witnessed a decline. Woke Kindergarten, a for-profit organization founded by Akiea Gross, a non-binary early educator, identifies itself as a "global, abolitionist early childhood ecosystem." The program advocates for abolitionist early education and emphasizes pro-black, queer and trans liberation. (Related: WOKE TYRANNY: Aspiring foster parents could be prohibited from adopting children if they don’t push gender ideology at home.) Glassbrook Elementary School entered into the contract with Woke Kindergarten focusing on five core pillars of abolitionist education: identity, skill development, intellectualism, criticality and joyfulness. Identity, according to proponents, goes beyond basic categories like race, class and gender, adopting an intersectional perspective in the context of social justice movements. Criticality encourages students to recognize, understand and disrupt oppression, placing their learning within the broader context of societal issues. However, as the program unfolded, concerns arose among Glassbrook teachers, with some expressing reservations about its progressiveness. Tiger Craven-Neeley, a teacher, disclosed that a key objective of the program was to "disrupt whiteness" at the school. Despite the disappointing test score outcomes, Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Jason Reinmann defended the program, highlighting its positive impact on classroom attendance, which increased by nearly 20 percent. Reinmann suggested that the primary aim of the program was to boost attendance rather than test scores. The concept of abolitionist education, as promoted by Woke Kindergarten, aligns with a relatively new teaching approach that seeks to dismantle elements of the existing educational system. Zeus Leonard, an education professor at the University of California Berkeley, acknowledged the foundations of Woke Kindergarten in abolitionist education, emphasizing equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and love of humanity. However, critics, including James Lindsay, a prominent censurer of critical theory, caution against the potential misuse of such approaches. Lindsay argued that while critical theory can foster useful skepticism, it has been misapplied by the social justice movement to oversimplify complex issues, often attributing differences in outcomes solely to systemic injustices like "systemic racism." The outcome at Glassbrook Elementary School raises questions about the effectiveness of such progressive educational programs and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders, including students, parents and educators.

Woke Kindergarten founder is a controversial figure

Meanwhile, the Woke Kindergarten founder has been known for expressing controversial views on social media. In an Instagram post, Gross said the United States and Israel have no right to exist, expressing sentiments of resistance and liberation. Gross accused these countries of being villains and called for their end. The controversial figure also called for the abolition of schools, envisioning a world where children learn through community-based ecosystems, eliminating the need for traditional educational systems. Gross' curriculum materials from Woke Kindergarten have been utilized in various schools, emphasizing abolitionist early education. The organization claims to support children, families, educators and organizations committed to pro-black and queer and trans liberation. In addition to advocating for the end of nation-states, Gross extends their beliefs to include extraterrestrial beings, expressing solidarity with all oppressed beings, both human and non-human. The controversial statements raise questions about the appropriateness of such ideologies in educational settings, prompting concerns among parents, educators and the broader community. When did "woke" become the norm? Watch this. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

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Woke Kindergarten founder is a controversial figure

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