In a San Francisco Bay-area elementary school, the aftermath of investing $250,000 in federal funds allocated for educational improvement has left students grappling with some of the lowest math and reading scores in the state. The controversial initiative, spearheaded by a for-profit company named “Woke Kindergarten,” aimed to train teachers but has come under scrutiny after two years of implementation.
According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, Glassbrook Elementary in Hayward, California, witnessed a 4% decline in both math and reading proficiency over the past two years. Shockingly, less than 12% of the students can read at their grade level, and fewer than 4% are proficient in math.
The federal funds, intended to boost test scores in underperforming schools, were allocated to the program, yet the expected improvements failed to materialize. Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Jason Reimann defended the decision, stating that the choice of “Woke Kindergarten” was driven more by a desire to enhance attendance than academic achievement.
Controversy Surrounds ‘Woke Kindergarten’ as Superintendent Defends Curriculum Amid Concerns
Reimann emphasized, “Helping students feel safe and whole is part and parcel of academic achievement. I get that it’s more money than we would have liked to have spent.” He further stated, “We are in favor 100% of abolishing systems of oppression where they hold our students back. What I do believe is we should pick providers based on their work and how effective they are.”
“Woke Kindergarten,” as described on its website, focuses on supporting abolitionist early education and pro-black, queer, and trans liberation. However, its curriculum has raised eyebrows with its inclusion of “Woke” words of the day such as “ceasefire,” “abolish,” and “Woke Wonderings” that question the “legitimacy of the Supreme Court” and advocate for the abolishment of the police, money, and the military.
A teacher from Glassbrook Elementary, choosing to remain anonymous, voiced concerns over the program. “Our reading scores are low,” the teacher stated. “The funds could have gotten us a reading interventionist.” The teacher also highlighted that dissenting voices were not welcomed during the “Woke Kindergarten” training sessions.
Teacher Banned for Questioning ‘Woke’ Training
Tiger Craven-Neeley, another teacher at the school, expressed confusion about directives given during the training. He questioned, “What does that mean for a third-grade classroom?” Craven-Neeley, who supports discussing racism in the classroom, revealed that his attempts to seek clarification resulted in a temporary ban from training sessions. Additionally, he noted that one of the trainers referred to the “so-called United States” during a session.
As the struggling school continues to grapple with the aftermath of the “Woke Kindergarten” initiative, the Hayward Unified School District did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. An email to “Woke Kindergarten” received an automatic reply indicating that the founder was recovering from surgery. The situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness and implications of incorporating “woke” ideologies into mainstream education.
