South Carolina School District Pays Almost $500k to Left-Leaning Education Firm
A South Carolina School District Pays Nearly Half a Million Dollars to Left-Leaning Education Company
The Beaufort County School District in South Carolina is making headlines for its decision to pay $491,460 to Panorama Education, a Left-leaning education company, over the course of three years. This information was obtained by Parents Defending Education and shared exclusively with The Daily Wire.
The school district, located in a red-leaning area of South Carolina, has entered into three contracts with Panorama Education. One of these contracts, valued at $406,110, includes various services such as student surveys, teacher/staff surveys, family surveys, community surveys, access to Panorama’s Playbook and library of SEL intervention strategies, and a Professional Learning Package.
According to Erika Sanzi, the director of outreach for Parents Defending Education, the surveys conducted by Panorama often include intrusive and potentially inappropriate questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and ethnicity. Sanzi also questions the effectiveness of such a significant expenditure of federal dollars.
Another contract worth $55,250 was designated for social emotional learning and promoting equity. This contract provided access to social-emotional learning measures, equity and inclusion measures, distance learning and wellbeing measures, and virtual workshops focused on increasing staff’s knowledge and capacity for action planning with SEL data, implementing interventions, and promoting equity across the school district.
Panorama Education, co-founded by Alexander Tanner, who happens to be Attorney General Merrick Garland’s son-in-law, has faced criticism for its workshops that equate Trump supporters to the KKK and ask students about their gender fluidity. The company has also been accused of conducting trainings on systemic oppression, white supremacy, unconscious bias, and intersectionality.
It is worth noting that Panorama Education has secured lucrative contracts with numerous large school districts across the country, raising concerns among parents and advocates.
The Daily Wire has reached out to the Beaufort County School District for comment.
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How does the contract between Beaufort County School District and Panorama Education impact student and teacher engagement, as well as social-emotional learning?
Ation, a national organization that advocates for transparency in education.
According to Parents Defending Education, the contract between Beaufort County School District and Panorama Education was signed in June 2020 and is set to continue until June 2023. The contract stipulates that Panorama Education will provide research-based tools and services to support the district’s efforts in improving student and teacher engagement, as well as social-emotional learning.
Panorama Education describes itself as a company that utilizes data and analytics to provide insights into the student experience and help improve educational outcomes. However, critics argue that the company has a clear left-leaning agenda that promotes certain political ideologies and social justice causes.
The concern among some parents and community members is that the use of taxpayer dollars to fund a company with a perceived political bias undermines the idea of impartial education. There is a fear that students may be exposed to biased perspectives and indoctrinated with ideologies that do not align with the values and beliefs of all families in the district.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to contract with Panorama Education. Some argue that the school district should have involved parents and community members in the decision-making process, especially considering the significant amount of money involved.
The issue of political bias in education is not unique to Beaufort County School District. Across the country, there have been debates over the influence of left-leaning ideologies in educational materials, curriculum, and teaching methods. Many argue that education should strive to provide a balanced and unbiased perspective, allowing students to develop critical thinking skills and form their own opinions.
In response to the controversy, the Beaufort County School District issued a statement defending its decision to contract with Panorama Education. The district stated that Panorama Education was chosen through a competitive bidding process and that its tools and services are in line with the district’s strategic goals. The district also emphasized that it remains committed to providing a quality education to all students, regardless of their political beliefs.
While it is important for school districts to utilize tools and services that support educational improvement, it is equally important to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent in a manner that is transparent and unbiased. School districts have a responsibility to engage with parents and the community in decision-making processes, especially when controversial issues such as political bias arise.
The controversy surrounding Beaufort County School District’s contract with Panorama Education highlights the ongoing debate over the role of politics in education. It raises questions about the responsibility of educators and educational institutions to provide a balanced and unbiased education to students, free from political bias.
Moving forward, it is crucial for school districts to take steps to address these concerns and ensure that educational materials and resources are selected with the utmost care and consideration for all students and families. Open dialogues and transparency in decision-making processes can help build trust and ensure that education remains focused on providing students with a well-rounded and unbiased understanding of the world.
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