All students are entitled to an accurate and honest education in which they learn about the mistakes of the past in order to create a better future for all.

The ideal of an informed citizenry requires an educated public. Educators must be free to provide an accurate and honest account of the past in order to better prepare students for community participation and robust civic engagement. The past year has seen states across the country, including Georgia, introduce numerous pieces of legislation to curtail this presentation of history. Much of this legislation depends on a formalistic list of “divisive concepts” that are banned.

Curtailing the discussion of “divisive concepts” in schools deprives students of opportunities to discuss and advance solutions to societal problems and issues. No legislation will erase history; it may, however, stifle educators’ ability to guide students in their grappling with history. Students deserve an honest and accurate account of history so they can realize their full potential for civic engagement.