"Republican Governors Take on Civics Education as the New Education Battleground"

Republican governors in states like Florida, Virginia, and South Dakota are leading a controversial overhaul of civics education, emphasizing patriotism, Christianity, and anti-communism. The new standards restrict discussions on race and gender and remove hands-on activities like mock elections and debates on current events. Critics argue that these changes may prevent students from gaining a full understanding of American government and limit critical thinking. The standards also draw on experts affiliated with Hillsdale College, a Christian institution, and present a particular perspective on the influence of Christianity in the founding of the nation. The divide over what children should learn about their country continues to deepen, with some states adopting ethnic studies requirements and adding LGBTQ history and critiques of capitalism to their curriculum.