Concerns About Radical Educational Resources for Teachers

A nonprofit connected to the National Education Association (NEA), which is the largest teachers’ union in the country, is providing resources that promote radical social justice for pre-K educators.

The Zinn Education Project (ZEP), named after the influential historian Howard Zinn, has attracted over 176,000 teachers who have downloaded more than 765,000 lessons aimed at their students. Each year, ZEP collaborates with the NEA and other groups for a “Teach Truth Day of Action.” According to ZEP’s website, the wide array of supporters for this initiative underscores a collective understanding that what children learn—or don’t learn—has significant implications for society, touching on topics like voting rights, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and workers’ rights.

Howard Zinn, who authored *A People’s History of the United States*, provides a historical perspective from the viewpoint of marginalized groups. His works have become foundational for many lessons in ZEP’s curriculum. The book discusses the atrocities faced by Native Americans, class struggles, and critiques American unity, while offering favorable views on anarchist movements. Zinn’s tenure as a professor at Spelman College ended in controversy due to his radical opinions, which ultimately led to his dismissal. In a 2003 interview, he identified as “some anarchist, some socialist—probably a democratic socialist.”

Within ZEP’s offerings, there are specific resources for grades three to five, including a book entitled *Borderlands and Mexican-American Stories*. This text challenges traditional narratives about Mexican-American history and highlights the contributions of Mexican culture in the U.S. before the country’s borders were established, citing persistent attempts at cultural erasure by “white settlers.”

Another suggested lesson involves a seven-minute climate change video narrated by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which also advocates for universal healthcare. In the video, she addresses oil company executives and reiterates the urgency of her “Green New Deal,” bringing attention to alarming predictions from leading climate scientists about the looming consequences of inaction.

The ZEP website includes various teacher testimonials. Chris Buehler, a high school social studies teacher, claims that ZEP serves as his guide amid a sea of conventional educational materials filled with corporate interests. He has built his entire curriculum around its lessons. Another educator describes using ZEP resources to teach social justice issues effectively.

One teacher, Corey Wincester from Evanston, Illinois, shares that he has been utilizing ZEP materials since he began teaching. Almost a decade later, he notes that his students now engage in discussions about the narratives surrounding historical figures like Christopher Columbus and Abraham Lincoln, and how these stories often perpetuate systemic racism.

Despite the growing popularity of such educational materials, concerns have been raised about their implications. Critics argue that K-12 ethnic studies could lead to the promotion of ideologies associated with radical groups, such as the Black Panther Party, presenting complex challenges for educators.

Requests for comments from ZEP and NEA went unanswered.