South Dakota lawmakers push for teaching American exceptionalism in public education

On Monday, a group of South Dakota lawmakers launched an initiative that offers an additional social studies curriculum for K-12 and university students based on “American exceptionalism” and founding US ideals.

Programs offering similar educational models have been explored in other states, such as Hillsdale Conservative College’s Michigan program, which has found favor with legislators in South Dakota, Tennessee and Florida. But the Center for American Exceptionality at Black Hills State University, the largest teacher training institute in South Dakota, will present a publicly funded one.

The bill passed through the House Education Committee, which recommended that it be included in the state budgeting process. If passed, the bill would be the first of its kind and would include the center developing public university courses comparing the US to socialist and communist countries, as well as overseeing the K-12 social and civic curriculum from the Center for Civic Education called, ” We, the People: Citizen and Constitution program.

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The main sponsor, Republican Scott Odenbach, emphasized that the $150,000 bill aims to balance critical thinking with love for the US.

He said that when students graduate, “they should love America.”

Black Hills State University political science professor Nicholas Drummond praised the center’s proposed goal of creating a unified history by creating hope for the future based on founding ideals. He argued that the country was following two paths; one of excessive individualism and the other of belligerent identity politics.

South Dakota Republicans advocate for a K-12 curriculum that teaches American exceptionalism in public schools.

“I have spent too much time studying the decline of this country,” Drummond said. “(It) takes us away from the concept of the national interest and towards the common good.”

Odenbach cited Republican Gov. Christy Noah’s recent enthusiasm for social research that captures the founding ideals of the nation. He also argued that it would help school districts avoid educational content companies that can charge the state $400,000 to introduce just one area of ​​content.

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Jonathan Zimmerman, an educational historian at the University of Pennsylvania, said that “American exceptionalism” has long been a “rallying cry” on the political right, but he knows nowhere that such an educational goal has been enshrined in law. He added that liberals also hold to ideals such as equality and human rights, which are detailed in the country’s founding documents.

The state social research standards have been under review for more than a year, and educational groups have been critical of Noem’s efforts to infuse “patriotic” educational goals into them. Public education groups on Monday also pointed to the limitations of the Odenbach plan, such as a lack of long-term funding and a lack of connection to individual schools.

Diana Miller, who lobbies for the state’s 25 largest schools, said the proposed center would break a delicate chain of command. She asked why the bill would add another government agency and council to local school districts.

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“From K to age 12, education is intact,” Miller said.