EDUCATION: Bill rewrites curriculum

The Idaho Senate Bill 1336 passed in March 2026 has rewritten the teaching of civics and history. There has been a lot of criticism that teachers are indoctrinating our students. “Upon high school graduation, every student at an Idaho public school shall: Exemplify the cardinal virtues necessary for self-government and human flourishing, including: Prudence; Justice; Fortitude; Moderation; and Patriotism.” Is this not indoctrinating the students? 

For example, students should know the meaning of the Pine Tree Flag (An Appeal to Heaven) and the Gadsden Flag (Don’t Tread on Me). The students need to know about the Monroe Doctrine which declared the USA would be the protector of the Western hemisphere which has been used to interfere in politics of our southern neighbors. Special attention should be given to America’s triumph over totalitarian regimes, failure and atrocities of the Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China including the red terror, dekulakization, Stalin’s purge, Holodomor etc. 

There is no mention of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy later known as the Six Nations by the English which is often referred to as one of the world’s oldest participatory democracies. There is no mention of the development of slavery which began in 1619 at Jamestown. Special attention should be given to the contribution of America’s “original Anglo-American heritage.” The is no mention of the genocide of the Native Americans nor the Relocation Camps (nice word for concentration camp) of American-born Japanese as well as Japanese immigrants, nor the Holocaust. 

Who’s indoctrinating whom?

JUANA PERLEY

Coeur d’Alene