Alabama’s Governor, Kay Ivey, has removed the director of early childhood education, Barbara Cooper, over the use of a teacher training book that contained language about inclusion and structural racism. The Republican Governor denounced the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book, 4th edition, as teaching “woke concepts”. The Governor’s office cited two examples from the book; one discussing white privilege and the other teaching LGBTQ+ inclusion to 4-year-olds. The book is a guide for early childhood educators and not a curriculum taught to children.
Ivey’s statement is reflective of the growing national trend of conservative politicians denouncing “woke” teachings. Schools have become a flashpoint over diversity training and parents’ rights. The Governor’s office stated that Ivey had first asked Cooper to “send a memo to disavow this book and to immediately discontinue its use.” However, the Governor’s office did not disclose Cooper’s response, but it made the decision to replace Cooper and accepted her resignation. Cooper is a member of the NAEYC board.
The section on structural racism states that “systemic and structural racism … has permeated every institution and system through policies and practices that position people of color in oppressive, repressive, and menial positions. The early education system is not immune to these forces.” The book advocates making sure that all children feel welcome. It states that “Children from all families (e.g., single parent, grandparent-led, foster, LGBTQIA+) need to hear and see messages that promote equality, dignity, and worth.”
The Governor’s office clarified that the education of Alabama’s children is her top priority, and there is no room to distract or take away from this mission. The Governor made it clear that woke concepts that have no place in Alabama classrooms are divisive at the core and have zero to do with a proper education, let alone with our youngest learners. Alabama’s First Class voluntary pre-kindergarten programs operate more than 1,400 classrooms across the state and have won high ratings from the National Institute for Early Education Research.
In conclusion, the removal of the director of early childhood education in Alabama by the Governor has brought to the fore the national trend of conservative politicians denouncing “woke” teachings. The Governor’s decision was based on her belief that the concepts in the book have zero to do with proper education and are divisive at their core. The book is a guide for early childhood educators and not a curriculum taught to children. Alabama’s First Class voluntary pre-kindergarten programs operate more than 1,400 classrooms across the state and have won high ratings from the National Institute for Early Education Research.