Hillsdale College and Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary announced an end to their partnership, which provided curricular support to the students at the charter school.
The decision from the school officials followed controversial remarks made by Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn.
“The teachers are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country, and they are taught that they are going to do something to those kids,” Arnn said, in part, according to audio obtained by WTVF.
Arnn and Governor Bill Lee, who were present at the event, have received intense backlash across the state for the comments. The two have contended that the comments were taken out of context.
However, the connection to the remarks led the Hamilton County charter school to end the agreement.
“In order to use our time tending to the mission of the school rather than defending ourselves from attempts to mischaracterize our efforts, we have terminated the agreement with Hillsdale that would have allowed us to use a program guide as a planning aid for our teachers,” Skillern CEO Angie Markum said, according to a report from the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
In a separate news release, Hillsdale confirmed the decision to end the curriculum sharing:
“Effective July 6, the affiliation between Hillsdale College, its K-12 Education Office, and Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary in Hamilton County has come to an end.”
Furthermore, the educational institution blamed “inaccurate media attention” for the termination.
“Hillsdale College and the entire K-12 Education Office wish the best to all the students, families, teachers, and staff members at Skillern Elementary. It is regrettable that inaccurate media attention has forced a school to abandon its curriculum,” the release stated.
Earlier this year, Governor Lee announced a plan to expand the number of Hillsdale-connected charter schools across the state.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Skillern CEO Angie Markum” by Ivy Academy and photo “Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary” by Ivy Academy’s Skillern Elementary.
The TN general assembly should immediately open up the TN school vouchers to all parents in all counties! Let the parents decide where to send their children. If public schools are the best place they will survive. If private schools are the best they will get stronger and better. All parents in TN should ask their state senators and legislators to a vote to allow school vouchers in all 95 counties. Please ask Beth Harwell why she never allowed a vote on school vouchers while TN Speaker of the house? She has received support from the Teachers union in the past. Tennessee parents should make the choice on their child’s education and put a stop to this educational monopoly called public schools! Public schools are so focused on political correctness like gender identity . Remember public schools removed Technical skills from the class room like VOTechnical education, removed civics and personal finance. We now have students graduating that do not have basic skills to make decisions regarding employment and personal finance!
Public schools are a disgrace
This figures. Afraid to face the truth? Maybe their teachers are not those described but I sure have seen a passel of them “teaching” me, my children and grandchildren. No accountability for success breeds failure.
Another political decision instead of what is best for their students. Sadly, what he said is true of most teachers today. Sorry folks but face the facts. So they got their “wittle” feelings hurt and they remove an opportunity for a real education for our children. This decision only validates what Arne said.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell