From posting the Ten Commandments to reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the state legislature achieved several victories for education this past session.
1819 News' Apryl Marie Fogel, director of the Center for Education and education editor, joined CEO Bryan Dawson on "1819 News: The Podcast" this past week to discuss these wins and the many problems schools are facing.
"The left doesn't reproduce in the bedroom. They reproduce in the classroom. While most Alamians are working, tithing, raising families and sending kids to church, the other side is using our schools to catechize children in a godless Marxist worldview. The good news, for the first time in a long time, they're feeling the heat," Dawson said.
While being critical of House Speaker Nathanial Ledbetter on other issues, Dawson praised him for championing the education reforms. Fogel said Ledbetter played a key role in getting the Pledge Bill around "roadblocks" in committee.
"That bill actually hit a roadblock in a House committee, and they went around the roadblock. And so, you know, I got to give credit where credit is due. There were a couple of things that did happen that are tremendous for our future, and I love that."
Dawson argued that praying and reciting the pledge would help promote American values and identity in the classroom.
"When you think about when a bunch of Somalians came into Minnesota, and they turned the Minnesota flag into a Somalian flag, it's an idea of conquest," he said. "… My point is, I'm painting a picture. It's about conquest and whose ground is this. And when you go into a school and there's a prayer and a pledge, it's saying this is who this belongs to."
"Exactly. This is who we are," Fogel responded. "And that's one of those things about this state, it's not enough. And I get really frustrated… Every year the lawmakers are like, 'We have the biggest budget.' And I'm like, wait, but that's not something Republicans celebrate. I don't want to hear year after year, this is the biggest budget ever. That's probably not a good thing. Especially when, as we do have test scores rising, we still got areas of the state where kids are being failed, and they're being failed in wholesale ways. Math, reading, the safety and security of their school, the disciplinary actions going on in the school. You know, these widespread problems. In certain areas and pockets of the state, we've reported on such a low quality of teachers themselves that teachers are routinely arrested, and not for minor things either."
One of the ways Dawson said parents and concerned citizens can help fight for education is by donating to 1819 News' Center for Education, which has been instrumental in exposing classroom corruption and in pushing the legislature toward reform.
"The Bible requires you to leave an inheritance for your children and grandchildren. And that inheritance is going to be won or lost in the culture war," Dawson said. "There's probably not anything you could do more to secure the civilizational inheritance that you're required to secure for your children and grandchildren than get involved in the culture war and then get involved with us at the Center for Education."
To connect with the story's author or comment, email [email protected] or find him on X and Facebook.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
