AL Gov Ousts Top Official Over “Woke” Pre-K Book

April 23, 2023 Education, Republicans

The Alabama Political Reporter reports:

Dr. Barbara Cooper, secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, has resigned under pressure from Gov. Kay Ivey [photo] for the inclusion of a “woke” pre-K educator resource book in the state’s curriculum.

Ivey’s office said it was brought to Ivey’s attention last week that the book included content “that is simply not in line with what the Ivey Administration or the people of Alabama stand for or believe.”

Ivey’s office did not name the book in her initial release, but a spokesperson for the governor’s office told APR the book in question is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Developmentally Appropriate Practice Book, 4th Edition. The book is designed as a resource for teachers, not students.

The Associated Press reports:



The governor’s office, in a press release, cited two examples from the book — one discussing white privilege and that “the United States is built on systemic and structural racism” and another that Ivey’s office claimed teaches LGBTQ+ inclusion to 4-year-olds.

Those sections, according to a copy of the 881-page book obtained by The Associated Press, discuss combating bias and making sure that all children feel welcome.

“Early childhood programs also serve and welcome families that represent many compositions. Children from all families (e.g., single parent, grandparent-led, foster, LGBTQIA+) need to hear and see messages that promote equality, dignity, and worth,” the book states.

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