New York’s Board of Regents Explores Alternative History Lessons

Recently, the state's Board of Regents sparked a debate by promoting a new set of educational videos and materials. These resources, set to debut at New York state parks in February, present a revised history of the Revolutionary War. The videos discuss how Indigenous people and enslaved individuals fought alongside the colonists, but were later betrayed. One clip suggests that the U. S. has never honored treaties with Native Americans. This comes as many schools already struggle with effective teaching.Next year, the Board of Regents aims to distribute a similarly-focused curriculum guide to schools across the state. While these materials will be online, plans are underway to fund student trips to parks where the kiosks are located. Certain Board members are wary of backlash, similar to what they faced when they implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Chancellor Lester Young Jr. emphasized the importance of taking courageous stands. However, critics argue that true courage would be tackling issues like declining graduation standards, poor test scores, absenteeism, and learning loss post-pandemic. Some say the Board’s focus on ideology overshadows their main mission: ensuring students receive an excellent education.