I read with interest The Press article last week entitled “CDA School District Responds to ‘Critical Race Theory’ Commentary.” The challenge was to the district’s new plan entitled The Equity Framework.

Just the title makes me nervous and suspicious of what is really going on in our local schools. According to the article, Scott Maben, the district spokesman, said that the plan was not in any way related to CRT, but as he tried to clarify and explain it, the topic became even more unclear and vague. I am a college graduate in education and still could not understand what he was talking about.

The focus on equity and social justice with an emphasis on racism makes many of us nervous. It sounds very much like what parents and concerned citizens across our country are upset about.

What we want our schools to teach our children is reading, writing and arithmetic along with science, civics, history, responsibility and how to think and reason. I’m not sure that is what we are getting. Why is that so difficult?

The schools in America have produced excellent scientists, doctors, educators, etc., for years and now everything must be changed? I disagree. What we had was working. America has led the world with inventors and leaders in all fields. Our education system does not need changing.

Let’s get back to the basics and stop muddying the water. Just teach our children what they need and forget this social justice, equity and racism emphasis. And please speak clearly so the public can understand. That way we won’t become suspicious that there is something else going on. Otherwise, the dissension will continue.

MARY LOU THOMPSON

Hayden