North Carolina bishops urge opposition to pro-abortion civics curriculum

February 12, 2010

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh and Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte are urging North Carolina’s Catholics to oppose the state Department of Public Instruction’s revised civics and economics curriculum, which compares pro-life laws to segregation and the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. All North Carolina public high school students are required to study civics and economics.

“If this text is approved, children taking this course will be asked to explain how Roe v. Wade is an example supporting the way the Supreme Court upheld rights against oppressive government,” the bishops note, referring to the following “formative assessment prototype” in the revised curriculum: "Using three Supreme Court Cases (e.g., Brown v Board, Roe v Wade, Korematsu v US) as support explain how the US Supreme Court has upheld rights against oppressive government."

“As a voice united on behalf of the unborn who have a right to life, a fundamental human right, we oppose this draft statement and ask you to join us in making the Department of Public Instruction aware of our opposition,” the bishops added in their February 11 statement.

North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton, and Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson all received the endorsement of NARAL (formerly the National Abortion Rights Action League) because of their support for legalized abortion.

The controversy over the civics curriculum is not the only recent issue that has raised questions about the state’s Department of Public Instruction. The state’s revised US history curriculum would eliminate the study of pre-1877 American history during the high school years, a decision that has sparked intense grass-roots opposition. In addition, State Superintendent June Atkinson recently announced that all statewide mathematics tests would incorporate a framework developed by a firm whose president, Malbert Smith, donated $2,000 to her election campaign.

 

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Further information:

• Bishops Issue Call to Action Regarding Public School Textbook (Catholic Voice NC)
• NC public schools: Pro-life laws, like segregation, are examples of ‘oppressive government’ (CWN, 1/27)
• North Carolina Schools May Cut Chunk Out of US History Lessons (Fox News)
• History Did Not Begin in 1877! (Facebook)
• NCDPI Adopts New Math Measure To Boost Student Achievement (Department of Public Instruction)
• Campaign Finance Transaction Inquiry (State of North Carolina)