Glassbrook Elementary School, located in Hayward, California, has invested $250,000 in a controversial program known as "Woke Kindergarten."
The program, which is financed by federal funds intended to boost student achievement in the nation's lowest-performing schools, has been in place for two years. However, reports indicate that student performance has declined since its implementation, raising questions about the program's efficacy and value for money.
"Woke Kindergarten" is a radical initiative that aims to confront white supremacy, disrupt racism and oppression, and eliminate these barriers to learning, according to the program's website. The program describes itself as "a global, abolitionist early childhood ecosystem and visionary creative portal supporting children, families, educators and organizations in their commitment to abolitionist early education and pro-black and queer and trans liberation."
The majority of Glassbrook Elementary School's student population is comprised of low-income students, with over 80 percent identifying as Hispanic or Latino, and two-thirds learning English as a second language. Data from the San Francisco Chronicle reveals that less than 4 percent of students were proficient in mathematics and just under 12 percent were at grade level in English as of last spring. This represents a decline of approximately 4 percentage points in each category.
Despite these concerning figures, district officials defended "Woke Kindergarten" to The Chronicle, asserting that the program had fulfilled its contractual obligations. They claimed that the school had been removed from the state watch list due to improvements in suspension and attendance rates. However, The Chronicle reported that the school remains on the list and has been demoted to a lower level.
The program's stated aim is to create a safe, joyful, and supportive environment for all children. However, some Glassbrook teachers have criticized the decision to implement "Woke Kindergarten," arguing that it is rooted in progressive politics and activism and includes anti-Israel, anti-capitalism, and anti-police messaging.
Zeus Leonardo, a professor at UC Berkeley, defended the program's progressive abolitionist material, stating that it is not about indoctrinating students "but making politics part of the framework of teaching."
The curriculum features a "woke word of the day," such as "ceasefire," "strike," and "protest." These words are intended to introduce children to "liberatory vocabulary" that they can use in their critiques of the system.
Tiger Craven-Neeley, a teacher at the elementary school, expressed dissatisfaction with the "Woke Kindergarten" training. He stated that he was told that "disrupting whiteness" in the school was the primary objective and that the sessions were "not the place to express white guilt." Craven-Neeley also questioned a trainer who used the phrase "so-called United States" and offered lessons on the organization's website that imagine a world without law enforcement, money, or landlords.
Another teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that there was no room for "dissenting" opinions and that the curriculum was not working, as evidenced by low test scores. "It slowly became very apparent if you were a dissenting voice that its not what they wanted to hear," said the teacher.
As the contract for "Woke Kindergarten" enters its final year, the debate over its effectiveness and appropriateness continues. With falling grades and rising concerns, the future of this radical program remains uncertain.
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