Trust, But Verify: What Grade Do Your Local Schools Deserve?
President Ronald Reagan famously quoted a Russian proverb during a press appearance with Mikhail Gorbachev. It was “Doveryai no proveryai,” in English, “Trust, but verify.”
Gorbachev retorted, “You repeat that at every meeting!” Which caused laughter and applause to erupt from those in attendance.
“I like it,” said Reagan.
Verification was necessary when dealing with the USSR during the Cold War, and it’s even more vital as you approach your child’s education. We used to be able to trust the quality and safety of America’s schools, but sadly, a creeping evil has grown – and spread in recent years and perhaps even decades.
Even as (some) good-willed teachers still approach their jobs to inspire and educate with a genuine desire for academic excellence, partnering with parents to raise a new generation of smart, able, and ambitious American citizens, others work alongside them with different goals.
This week, we want to challenge you to dig a little and learn what you can about your kids’ schools. How do these institutions stack up in each subject?
You have the red pen, mamas.
Give them a grade. Do they get an “A” for an accurate and balanced approach to American History? Or an “F” for terrifying kids with unsubstantiated climate alarmism predicting the world’s imminent destruction? You can and should rightly judge the quality of what your tax dollars are buying. Most importantly, you are the only true advocate who can be trusted to prioritize your children’s safety and educational future. Every other motive and curriculum must be examined – and verified.
Let’s look at a few school subjects and other educational concerns as we invite you to complete this critical report card.
History Class
This has been noticeably declining in recent – and even not-so-recent years. As you rate this one, be sure to pay special attention to American History, as this has been under attack for some time.
My eldest graduated high school in 2012, and even that long ago was asked in AP US History to write a paper explaining how “white European men oppressed women and natives in America.” No slanted premise in that assignment, right?
She also had a textbook for that class, Howard Zinn’s outrageous A People’s History of the United States. That title is plagued with numerous problems – not the least of which was how Zinn characterized the terrorist murderers on 9/11 as sympathetic figures willing to die for what they believed in. I’m not much for book burning, but I did thoroughly soak this one with water before placing it in a plastic bag in the trash. No doubt the mold has fully consumed it by now. Yes, I did.
That was 13 years ago. It’s much worse now, as was revealed when classes zoomed into our homes during the pandemic.
Be on the lookout for anything relating to the debunked 1619 Project curriculum, critical race theory (CRT), also known as “ethnic” studies (and other names meant to mask the truth from parents). Racism is central to these woke ideological curriculums as it divides and ostracizes students based on their skin color. It’s a contest to identify who is the most victimized based on ethnicity and sexual preference and labels fellow students (who did nothing) oppressors by default.
If you see even a hint of these things, they likely run deep in that school, as much has been purposefully hidden from parents. There are plenty of receipts on that fact in the form of undercover videos revealing educators’ strategies of deception.
A solid teaching of history should involve the good, the bad, and the ugly – along with a clear understanding of life in various eras of the world’s timeline. If a teacher can’t do more than look at events through a 21st-century lens, they are deficient.
What grade would you give your child’s school on History?
Math Class
You’d think this exacting, calculation-driven subject would be free of controversy. I almost spit out my coffee when I read Scientific American’s article title: “Modern Mathematics Confronts Its White, Patriarchal Past.”
It was all about the “systematic oppression” in mathematics. Some of those profiled in the piece started a “Black in Math Week” on Twitter (now X), and another freedom-fighter created “Trans Math Day.”
When 2020 rolled around, and concepts of commonsense blew sky high – it was determined that math was racist. Yes, racist.
The Department of Education created A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction kit in Oregon. Other schools pushed back on the idea that a correct answer – was correct – when passed through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s as nuts as it sounds.
For you, a more tangible way forward is to consider the math scores for your child’s school. How is their math ranking (based on test results)? How do students perform against grade-level standards? These are questions you can pose to school administrators. If a school spends its educational capital on making sure math isn’t racist – you’ll probably notice that the scores aren’t very impressive.
Give your school the appropriate grade for its math performance.
Science Class
Here’s another important subject that shouldn’t be terribly controversial. That said, it’s had its own challenges. The theory of evolution has been taught as the ultimate truth for decades. Of course, that accepted foundational “truth” – that everything evolved haphazardly from a single cell- is riddled with inconsistencies in the fossil record. Little effort is made to explain the intricacies of the human eye – or DNA – that suggest another deep flaw in the belief that chaos leads to order. Still, schools hold to it with white-knuckled passion.
Science class has a more modern challenge, though – the climate. Is it changing? Yes. Is it caused by your Chevy Trailblazer? Probably not.
Still, it’s held by some educators with gospel fervor. Global warming, now replaced by the more all-purpose tag “climate change,” has been all the rage in leftist worldview even way before the little Swedish girl cried out, “How dare you!” Before her, former VP Al Gore started his own grift in this arena with the debunked “facts” in the film An Inconvenient Truth. What has actually played out through the years has proved even more “inconvenient” since the film’s predictions of more than 20 years ago fell apart – including the one that foresaw Florida sinking into the sea.
If your child’s teacher is bound and determined to preach manmade climate change as an unquestionable scientific fact, you may think twice about that instructor – and maybe that school. A great teacher would teach that theory against actual science about weather and climate and report facts over theory. I would welcome the active discussion of all sides in class and happily give extra credit for an even-handed approach.
How will you grade your school on its scientific approach? B+ or a solid D?
Physical Education and Sports
If you have young girls who go to PE or who are involved with athletics, you’ll be interested in where your school stands on President Trump’s call for schools to keep biological males out of girls’ interscholastic sports. Girls have endured forced exposure to male anatomy in locker rooms by those claiming special status as female – despite visual evidence to the contrary. Riley Gaines has been a champion for girls’ sports, and if you haven’t heard her story, check out the podcast we did with her back in 2023.
As a mom, don’t hesitate to ask directly if the school allows biological males in the girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. If your daughter plans to join the girls’ basketball or volleyball team, consider whether she will be forced to compete against males from other schools. If a school isn’t clear and committed to these simple issues, they aren’t looking out for girls and won’t protect yours.
When you have all the information, grade accordingly.
Sex Education
How did we get to the place where schools are tasked with giving our kids “the talk?”
Now, schools have taken it upon themselves to go way beyond the basics of the previous sex-ed of years gone by. Depending on their age, your child may be graphically instructed about various sexual positions, ways to masturbate, and how to experiment with alternative sexual expression.
Added to that, somewhere along the line, educators audaciously began asking children to explore gender. It’s been well-documented that children are encouraged to consider their options. They can stay with their original biological gender (which they often refer to as “assigned” sex) or embrace the more exciting and celebrated choice of changing gender. In some districts, these concepts are introduced as early as kindergarten. If that weren’t enough, some teachers will hide gender transitions from parents. Some schools even mandate this open deception.
Though these practices have come under more much-needed scrutiny, they aren’t necessarily stopping. Instead, those bent on sexualizing children are learning new ways to hide their deceptive practices that victimize students and exclude parents.
Some school districts will even facilitate a minor going for an abortion without telling the parents. Unreal – and yet, far too real.
When you research this in your school, ask pointed questions about what’s happening in the classroom regarding sexuality and gender. Ask if you can opt your child out of lessons on these topics. If there is any hesitation – take it as a serious red flag.
Any school that separates you and your child regarding such important, personal, and impactful issues should be given a big fat red “F!”
Library Lunacy
The sheer number of books for kids ranging from preschool to high school that tackle the topics of LGBTQ, gender, and graphic sexuality has grown exponentially. As parents have pushed back, demanding that pornographic content be removed from public school libraries and classrooms, they have been called Nazis. Though some small battles have been won, creators of this content have ramped up production almost faster than vigilant parents can keep up.
Hundreds of books are now available depicting rape, incest, homosexuality, and other deviant sexual activity. Some share startling images, while others play out the scenes in graphic and erotic language. One has to question educators and school board members who defend providing these resources for impressionable kids and teens. However, they are out there and still in significant numbers.
Pornography addiction is on the rise in America, and now kids are getting hooked before they know what’s happening to them. It’s a powerful and debilitating addiction that can decimate their future relationships and families.
On this week’s podcast, we spoke with Pastor John Amanchukwu. We learned about his heroic efforts to stand up for the protection of America’s most vulnerable citizens – children. His compelling documentary 22 Words depicts his part in the battle to save our kids.
If your school is squishy on whether pornographic books are wrong for your 6th grader, run, don’t walk.
And, whatever you do, don’t give them a pass!
What if Your School Doesn’t Make the Grade?
Mamas, there is real danger in the halls of our schools.
What kids live through now is a far cry from our school experiences. Don’t be fooled by even your own fond memories. Things have changed, and some of these nefarious influences could negatively impact your kids, even in irreversible ways.
So, after grading these subjects, where does your school land?
Did your child’s school squeak by with a barely passing C average? Did it earn an A – marking it as a standout in our culture? Did it fail miserably?
It’s up to you. Is a C good enough? Or do you want more for your kids?
Though this blog isn’t long enough to deep dive into all the alternatives, here’s a list you may want to consider for your beloved kiddos:
School Choice – 35 states currently offer some school choice. Some are better than others. Ideally, it would allow tax funds to follow your child to a private school or homeschool option. A quick internet search on the topic for your state should give you a greater understanding of what’s available to your child.
Private Schools – These can be faith-based or represent a college preparatory or specialty academic focus. They are usually the priciest option; however, before you consider it impossible, find out what’s available to you if your state offers school choice vouchers.
Charter Schools – This is a free public school option, and some charter schools offer a more traditional educational experience. Still, all your questions about your local public school should be posed to any of these alternative options.
Homeschool – This method of education has become a wildly popular option in America over the last few years. The number of kids educated at home is approaching four million. Pulling your kids out and reimagining school for your family is a big decision. Still, there have never been more resources available to make it work. And there’s never been someone more committed to your child’s education and well-being than you!
 We have Homeschool Webinars and resources to help you consider this option – and to encourage you if you decide to make the leap!
Too many schools have gone off the rails – especially regarding woke ideologies and LGBTQ. It’s become a harsh environment for our littles, making me think of the stark contrast of a beautiful story from The Hiding Place.
As a small girl, Corrie Ten Boom was traveling with her father and innocently asked him to explain what a term she’d heard, “sex sin,” meant. Instead of answering, he asked her to carry their large suitcase for the trip. She couldn’t carry it. It was far too much to even lift.
Her father wisely used that object lesson to share that some things are too heavy for little ones – like the suitcase or the question she’d asked. Instead, he told her that, like the unmanageable bag, he would shoulder the difficult things too heavy for her until she was older and ready to hold such weighty concepts.
It was a loving and gentle way to protect his daughter from things that need not be known by someone so young. If all of America’s educators approached children with the same care for their young hearts and minds and truth in what and how they teach, they would certainly earn an A from America’s moms!
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