Fox News slams USC Education College for its anti-racism mission statement. It has been deleted

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USC’s College of Education removed an anti-racism mission statement from the college’s website following an investigation by Fox News, which accused the school of teaching future educators concepts related to theory racial criticism.

According to Fox, the department’s mission statement included preparing teachers to master culturally relevant, anti-racist, and pro-Black teaching; and to promote democratic principles and ideas in and through all educational settings.

But before Fox published its report, the statement was taken down. A link to it resulted in a 404 page not found message.

The University of South Carolina has not commented on the statement Fox referred to.

A mission statement currently available on the colleges of education website states that the college emphasizes the active construction and application of knowledge, skills and dispositions to promote excellence, equity and educational opportunities in the 21st century.

The statement says it was endorsed by faculty and staff in 2001.

We are committed to developing and sharing our expertise and leadership, as well as providing a forum for dialogue and educational advancement, reads the mission statement.

The statement says the university is dedicated to preparing educators to have a sincere understanding and appreciation of diversity as we challenge ourselves and others to work for social justice.

Asked about the mission statement mentioned by Fox News, university spokesman Koby Padgett said the college is currently undergoing strategic planning at all levels with a view to a reorganization, including the evaluation of the mission and the vision.

Adam Mahdavi, a 2022 USC graduate, told Fox he wants parents to know how their children’s teachers are being trained and said the university is grooming teachers to circumvent the CRT ban.

If you talk about your Christianity, your conservatism, your constitutional republicanism, if you express it, you will be a target every day, Mahdavi told Fox. And they will try to make you want to quit.

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When asked to respond to Mahdavis’ allegations, university spokesman Jeff Stensland said USC is committed to the principles of freedom of speech, expression and investigation.

Part of the long tradition of American higher education is the belief that free and open dialogue is a key ingredient in arriving at universal truths and common understanding, Stensland said. Our students represent a wide range of political perspectives and are encouraged to explore different viewpoints while respecting those with whom they may disagree.

A South Carolina state budget provision prohibits K-12 public schools from channeling state money into teaching concepts derived from critical race theory.

Critical Race Theory, according to the Legal Defense Fund, is an academic and legal framework that recognizes systemic racism as part of American society. References to discrimination, anti-racism, intersectionality, social justice and diversity, equity and inclusion are often categorized concepts related to critical race theory.

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