Bill No. 22-11 Substitute Resolution in Support of Academic Freedom

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SUBSTITUTE BILL NO.22-11 SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. CITY CLEKK, Z)U J f H BEND, IN A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, IN SUPPORT OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN TEACHING INDIANA STUDENTS G*�, state legislative proposals are being introduced and passed across the United States that target academic discussions of racism and related issues of oppression in American history in schools; and Gam, best practices strongly support approaches that educate the "whole child" including academics as well as social and emotional learning and restorative justice skills; and Nam, The American Academv of Pediatrics in 2019 published a policy statement regarding the impact of racism on child and adolescent health that discussed the impact racism and oppression had on mental and physical health: "Racism is a core social determinant of health that is a driver of health inequities;" and Gam, teaching the truth about race, gender, and cultural differences is necessary to inform students about existing systemic discriminations; and Gam, the truthful, accurate teaching of history often requires teaching about race and cultural oppressions of all kinds; and Gam, while we acknowledge that parents are the primary educators of their children, decisions about curricula and subject matter and what pedagogical methods should be used are best made by educators who have expertise in the subject; and, 6 the truthful teaching about race, gender, and cultural differences in this country in no way implies that someone of similar traits as the perpetrators are inherently responsible for the past actions of others who share those traits; and G,hCvmz� the state of Indiana is already facing a critical teacher shortage and House Bill 1134 would create additional challenges when finding qualified teachers to fill openings in the classrooms, having short-term as well as long-term negative impacts on the community as a whole; and G,fil;aa� the state of Indiana already has comprehensive rules and regulations in place for K-12 schools regarding what teachers are required to teach about historical facts and events; and 6* the South Bend Common Council stands in solidarity with all teachers and administrators of K- 12 students; and