Republicans have tapped into parents’ frustration with remote learning at traditional schools during the pandemic, giving them a path to rally behind charter schools and other school choice initiatives. Critics, often on the left, argue they unfairly drain funding from traditional public schools. During her tenure as education secretary, Betsy DeVos championed the concept as an alternative to low-performing schools. Nationally, charter schools frequently stir political tensions. The program had more than 20 member schools by the end of 2021 and more than 30 schools using its curriculum, with major presences in Florida, Colorado and Michigan.
Hillsdale says it does not operate or manage schools, but instead offers two types of support by licensing their curriculum for free and providing training and other resources to so-called member schools. Starting in 2010, Hillsdale began setting up charter schools - publicly funded but privately run - across the country. Ted Cruz have given commencement speeches there - its prominence has strengthened among conservatives amid the national debate over the role schools should play in teaching race and sexuality. The curriculum's materials glorify the nation’s founders, downplay America’s role in slavery and condemn the rise of progressive politics.Īlthough Hillsdale has long been well-known inside GOP circles - Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, former Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Hillsdale, Lee said in announcing a civics education partnership with the school, “has been the standard bearer in quality curriculum and the responsibility of preserving American liberty.”Īrnn had recently spearheaded the “1776 Curriculum,” which was inspired by former President Donald Trump’s short-lived “1776 Commission,” as a direct response to The New York Times’ “1619 Project” focusing on America’s history of slavery. Things could hardly be more different from when Lee touted Hillsdale-affiliated charters in a speech to the legislature early this year - an unusual shoutout for the private college.
No new legislation has been filed or formal steps taken by the GOP-controlled legislature to oust Hillsdale, but the next legislative session doesn’t start until January. It's unknown when or if the additional 47 charter schools promised will ever materialize.