Colleges of Education (COEs) are responsible for training future and present K-12 classroom teachers. These teachers rely on CEOs curriculum, lessons and resources because they are trusted institutions in the teaching world.
However, Parents Defending Education recently released a report showing that COEs across 38 states and Washington, D.C. have adopted Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Learning for Justice project. Along with resources and lessons, this includes Social Justice Standards, which are now inserted into “preparation programs, coursework, departmental frameworks, and educator training initiatives.”
Nicole Neily, founder and president of Defending Education, is warning parents about teacher training programs and curriculum trends across the U.S.
In a related discussion on the "Fox & Friends First" program, Neily argued that teacher preparation colleges are prioritizing political activism over core instruction like math and reading.
According to Neily, these programs encourage educators to view themselves as social change agents and push ideology-focused frameworks — such as "radical liberated ethnic studies" — onto young children.
"Accordingly, they are now enlisting students as their child soldiers in this larger societal war," said Neily. "So, they think that it is incumbent on them to use our children, who they view as their children as the foot soldiers."
Another person concerned about woke things being pushed on students is Walter Wendler, president of West Texas A&M University. On American Family Radio (AFR)'s "Today's Issues" program, he advocated for proactive parental involvement in children's public-school education.
Wendler also emphasized constructive engagement over hostile confrontation.
"You don't have to go to a school board meeting and shout," said Wendler. "You can go see a teacher and talk or a principal and talk. You go and be a thoughtful participant in discussions about these things."
Meanwhile, parents should examine the items their children bring home.
"Look at the books that your kids, that the kids are reading, not just in first and second grade, but especially in high school," said Wendler.
