Some private Georgia schools continue to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) resources, featuring materials on white privilege, social justice, and racism that are made available to students, faculty, and parents.
Despite the recent backlash in Georgia public schools for DEI content in classrooms, some private schools continue promoting books, articles, websites, workshops, and guest speakers in what many now call Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs.
As part of its (DEIB) efforts, Decatur private school, The Friends School of Atlanta, seeks to become the “leading example of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice in Atlanta and the larger educational community.”
The Friends School offers a “PreK4 and Kindergarten discovery class taught by the director of DEI that highlights culture and diversity through picture books and crafts,” environmental activism for third graders, and “a middle school global citizenship course that highlights concepts such as faith and (injustice) and understanding and dismantling white supremacy.”
Faculty at The Friends School can access workshops with Pollyanna and obtain its free curriculum to “help students gain knowledge about race as it has been constructed in the United States.” Staff members can also participate in training with SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), where they can find information on white privilege, male privilege, and social, emotional, and political learning.
White parents and guardians of students attending The Friends School can join the “White Parent/Caregiver Antiracism and Accountability Discussion Group” to “explore their racial identity” and “understand the impact of whiteness on their children and diverse communities.”
The Paideia School in Atlanta also promotes DEIB. According to the school’s website, “Sexism and racism are still powerful forces in our society and unless the school addresses these issues actively and continually, children may absorb negative values from the surrounding culture.”
Paideia’s DEIB resources for elementary students use a “Racial Literacy Framework,” its junior high students study “race, class and gender” and have “affinity groups that discuss belonging.” Paideia’s high school students read books about “identity with antiracist themes” and schedule “full days dedicated to discussions on race and gender.” Paideia’s campus library features “antiracist books” that “are available to students, teachers and parents.”
Additionally, Pace Academy in Atlanta wants to foster a “diverse, equitable and inclusive culture” where “differences are embraced, and students, parents and faculty have a sense of belonging.”
Yet its website lists “race and equity resources,” offering links to social justice books, antiracism materials for parents with young children, information about white privilege, and links to learn about the 1619 project.
However, there is pushback against DEI ideologies in schools. Christopher F. Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and distinguished fellow of Hillsdale College, recently said in a Twitter (X) post that “DEI disciplines are, by nature, a form of academic corruption. The only solution is to abolish them.”
Parents Defending Education, a national organization that works to rid schools of social justice activism, has curated a curriculum list for teachers and parents who want alternatives to DEI. The materials include resources for curriculum inspired by 1776, U.S. history, free speech, and true diversity without indoctrination.
In a Facebook post, Parents Defending Education said, “All students have the ability to achieve their academic goals, especially when districts prioritize academics over activism.”
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Debra McClure is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Follow Debra on X / Twitter.
Photo “Pace Academy” by Pace Academy.
