DPS requires NDA & monitored, onsite viewing for parents to review student survey
From 4/22 through 5/6, Darien Public Schools (DPS) will be administering the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) survey for grades 3-12 in partnership with the National School Climate Center. Topics include gender identity for middle schoolers and gender identity and sexual orientation for high schoolers.
In emails from school principals to parents about the upcoming survey, parents were given the chance to opt their children out by completeing an online form by Friday, April 12th. However, in our view, parents interested in reviewing the content of this survey before making the opt-out decision were presented with onerous requirements by DPS including:
Parents must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prior to reviewing the survey
Parents are only allowed to view the survey at the school via appointment
Parents must be monitored by a DPS staff member when viewing the survey
Parents are prohibited from photographing the survey
Why is DPS making parents jump through hoops to view classroom content that their minor children will be completing during the school day administered by school staff members?
We believe it is important to know the background of the individuals running the National School Climate Center -- Co-Executive Directors Adam St. Bernard Jacobs and Christian Villenas, PhD -- for additional color.
Mr. Jacobs appears to be a vocal anti-racism advocate, previously hosting the "Raising Antiracist Kids" workshop series at the Brooklyn Public Library. Both he and his wife were featured in The Fold article Raising Kids Who Are Actively Anti-Racist: Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs and Adam St. Bernard Jacobs Are Teaching Us How. Direct quotes from Mr. Jacobs in this interview include (emphasis ours):
"Now as a parent, I have the opportunity to teach my kids about the history of systemic racism (in age-appropriate ways) so that harm is not perpetuated. Even though they are kids of color, they have privilege, and it is important to have the tools to understand that and to look for places and ways to act."
"It’s critical for kids to receive anti-bias education not just at home but also at school... Children learn empathy and learn that everyone holds some bias. The real work is undoing it and figuring out how to stop biases from affecting how people from marginalized communities are treated."
"We’re going to be diving into how parents should treat anti-racism work as a family approach, how to confront the feelings of insecurity about doing this work in your family, and how to treat discomfort as a learning tool. We’re also going to be delving into how to talk about police violence, colorism, white privilege, and more."
"I also want to help realize a world where those with power, particularly straight, cis white men like me, are able to step back and understand power and break barriers in a way that is healthy and positive."
Mr. Villenas' background seems to have deep roots in LGBTQ-related issues.His research focuses have included "social disparities in education," "LGBTQ students," and the "diffusion of new education practices in schools." Prior to joining the National School Climate Center, he was a Senior Research Associate at the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) where he "designed and managed research and evaluation projects related to LGBTQ issues in K-12 education." Per Mr. Villenas' LinkedIn profile, he has "also collaboarated with organizational allies to promote GLSEN's policy and programmatic agenda."
Per their website, GLSEN believes that LGBTQ-inclusive conversations should begin in elementary school and that science classes should incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive perspectives: "When teaching science it can quickly get very binary (sperm/egg, male/female, XX/XY).The most important thing is to dismantle this polarizing way of thinking and giving ample examples of ways that nature is not binary. Science class can be a place where a very complex world can be, incorrectly, summarized in binaries."
Call to Action!
Concerned about the lack of transparency between Darien Public Schools and parents? If so, please voice your concerns to Board of Education Chairperson Jill McCammon and Superintendent Dr. Alan Addley. A sample template can be found below.
To: aaddley@darienps.org jmccammon@darienps.org
Subject: Please embrace transparency
I am concerned that Darien Public Schools are making it more difficult for parents to access simple information on what their children are doing in schools. Parents should not have to jump through hoops to review classroom content that is being admistered during the school day by school staff. Darien Public Schools should be making it easier for parents to access this type of information, not putting multiple roadblocks up. Please reverse course by choosing transparency.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Insert Name]
[Insert Street Address]
