Portland State University (PSU) has recently come under fire for its teacher training programs, which have been criticized for turning rookie teachers into social justice activists. The Oregon school’s College of Education has been singled out for offering courses that are deemed politically loaded, with an emphasis on topics such as America’s histories of colonization, settler colonialism, white supremacy, imperialism, and neoliberalism.
According to course materials, trainee teachers at PSU are exposed to these controversial subjects, which some critics argue may influence the way they teach their future students. A new report by Parents Defending Education, a conservative watchdog group, raised concerns about the potential impact of these programs. The report highlighted PSU along with 66 other progressive teacher-training schools across the country.
Nicole Neily, the president of Parents Defending Education, expressed the need for scrutiny when it comes to the qualifications of individuals who spend significant time with students. She criticized colleges of education for becoming “political ideology factories” and suggested that teaching degrees may not hold the same value they once did.
The debate over how to educate America’s K-12 students has become a focal point in the ongoing culture wars. Progressive teachers, supported by left-leaning unions, have increasingly integrated cultural and political ideas into their lessons, with a focus on issues of race and identity. On the other hand, conservative parents and politicians argue that this approach amounts to political indoctrination and creates unnecessary divisions among students.
In response to these concerns, several states, including Florida, Oklahoma, and others, have implemented restrictions on identity-based lessons in public schools. Georgia’s Republican superintendent of schools, Richard Woods, recently warned about the use of divisive racial concepts in educational curricula. Campaign groups like Moms for Liberty have also been advocating for the removal of explicit or controversial books from school libraries.
The controversy surrounding PSU’s College of Education is part of a broader trend identified by Parents Defending Education. The group’s research revealed that many teacher-training schools across the country are incorporating politically-leaning course materials into their programs. Critical race theory, white privilege, white supremacy, and queer theory are among the topics covered in these courses.
Two prominent texts often used in these programs are Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” and Robin DiAngelo’s “White Fragility.” Additionally, the concept of the “wheel of privilege,” which categorizes society into winners and losers based on various identities, is frequently taught in these schools. This approach, rooted in the theory of intersectionality, seeks to highlight overlapping systems of privilege and disadvantage.
Despite the criticisms leveled against PSU’s teacher training programs, the college continues to emphasize the importance of preparing teachers to be “anti-racist” educators. Course materials outline the objective of identifying and addressing oppressive conditions, including micro- and macro-aggressions. The college offers a course specifically titled “Social Studies Methods: Teacher as Activist,” which aims to educate aspiring elementary school teachers on the historical roots of social issues.
The controversy surrounding PSU’s teacher training programs raises important questions about the role of political ideology in education. While some argue that teachers should focus on core subjects like reading and writing, others believe that addressing social justice issues is essential for creating inclusive and equitable learning environments. As the debate continues, it is clear that the intersection of education and politics will remain a contentious issue in the years to come.