Educators criticize Hillsdale College for seeking donations to restore Constitution lessons in Tennessee schools

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A conservative Christian higher education institution embroiled in educational discord suggests that the Tennessee education system lacks teaching of the U.S. Constitution, sparking criticism from a member of a GOP-appointed panel responsible for shaping the state’s social studies standards.

A recent communication from Hillsdale College in Michigan alerts that the K-12 educational field is facing a critical juncture. The message asserts that “activists and bureaucrats” are advocating for the replacement of individual rights with the concept of unequal rights based on identity through the lens of critical race theory and Marxist ideologies.

The communique appeals for tax-deductible contributions ranging from $15 to $100 to assist the college in furthering its distribution of pocket-sized editions of the Constitution to schools that request them.

“Will you join us in reintroducing the Constitution to Tennessee schools?” it boldly asks.

However, as per the state’s social studies standards delineating the required knowledge for each grade level, the Constitution holds a significant position in Tennessee schools.

Second-grade students are anticipated to be introduced to the Constitution. By the fourth grade, students are to explore constitutional principles like the separation of powers, federalism, and checks and balances. In eighth grade, three constitutional amendments are covered.

The message has not been well-received by two former members of the social studies standards committee and other advocates of the subject involved in developing educational resources to enhance its instruction.

“Upon seeing a flyer like this, one realizes that many individuals believe it. When misinformation goes unchallenged, it gains credibility,” remarked Bill Carey, the executive director of Tennessee History for Kids, a nonprofit organization that creates materials for educators focused on state history. “Clearly, this assertion is inaccurate. Tennessee arguably excels in teaching civics and the U.S. Constitution more than any other state.”

Carey, a part of the 10-member panel that revised the standards in 2016 and 2017, expressed his dissent in an op-ed that was published in newspapers across Tennessee. He received the flyer at his Nashville residence and shared a copy.

When asked for feedback on Carey’s op-ed, a representative from Hillsdale mentioned that the college’s primary concern is the curriculum provided to students, ensuring that they receive appropriate instruction aligned with the standards.

Labin Duke, the school’s associate vice president of national donor outreach, stated in a written response, “Despite the best intentions of well-crafted state standards, some educators may deviate from them.” He referenced recent Tennessee legislation aimed at limiting inappropriate educational materials as evidence.

Duke did not provide specific instances of schools or teachers straying from the state’s social studies standards.

In 2021, Tennessee implemented a law restricting the content related to race, gender, bias, and other topics in educational settings, positioning the state as a pioneer in this regard. This law has prompted caution among educators when teaching subjects like school segregation and has raised concerns about potential limitations on authors discussing their book on George Floyd’s death with high school students in Memphis.

William “Freddy” Curtis, a retired government and civics educator who also served on the 2016-17 social studies standards committee, acknowledged the nationwide neglect of social studies but disputed Hillsdale’s portrayal of the situation in Tennessee.

Curtis, who co-chaired the committee, noted the addition of standards focusing on the history and application of the Constitution. He expressed confidence in Tennessee’s adherence to standards, citing the requirement for districts to administer a civics exam to all high school students as evidence.

Over his career, Curtis served as an elementary school teacher, high school government teacher, principal, and district superintendent in Cannon County. He identifies as a conservative, a Republican primary voter, and an ordained Church of God minister who advised Republican Gov. Bill Lee during his initial gubernatorial campaign.

“Being labeled a Marxist activist doesn’t sit well with me…I found that very unsettling,” Curtis remarked. “I may support some aspects of Hillsdale’s mission, but this assertion is simply outrageous.”

He added, “Many teachers in Tennessee lean conservative.”

Kira Duke, the state coordinator for the Tennessee Council for History Education, a group advocating for history education importance and supporting teachers, highlighted the specificity of Tennessee’s social studies standards relating to the Constitution compared to other states.

For instance, she contrasted the specificity of Tennessee standards with “North Carolina standards, which are designed with a broader scope to address multiple themes, and one could argue that both approaches have merit.”

In recent years, Hillsdale College has garnered increased national recognition for promoting a classical liberal arts curriculum and has sought to expand its charter schools affiliated with the college in Tennessee. The communication seems to utilize standardized language that could be utilized nationwide while indicating that contributions may support other efforts in addition to the distribution of pocket Constitutions.

Mark Finchum, the executive director of the Tennessee Council for Social Studies and a former member of the National Council for Social Studies board, criticized the communication for employing fear-mongering tactics.

“I’m not a fan of propaganda,” stated Finchum. “The choice of words is crucial, and we must choose them wisely.”

Duke, representing Hillsdale, clarified that the communication’s primary goal is to aid educators in ensuring that all students meet Tennessee’s rigorous educational standards. He mentioned that the college has disseminated over 5 million free copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, with more than 700,000 distributed to teachers and students nationally.

Carey emphasized the need for contextual understanding, emphasizing that students require more than just access to primary source documents. He highlighted various methods through which the Constitution is taught in Tennessee, including free online resources provided by the Secretary of State’s office.

During the standards revision process a few years prior, committee members engaged in heated discussions on aspects like the origins of world religions, teaching Tennessee history, and determining the appropriate timing for introducing students to topics like the Holocaust.

Notably, the U.S. Constitution was not a divisive issue during these deliberations.

Eric Gorski serves as the managing editor for local news. For further inquiries, reach out to Eric at .