Investigation into School Guidance on Teaching 9/11

America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an inquiry into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Virginia. This follows a report by Fox News Digital about controversial guidance related to teaching the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The guidance advises teachers not to ‘center the extremists or the acts of the extremists.’

The conservative legal group launched the investigation after the report highlighted that FCPS advises teachers against linking the attacks to Islam or Muslims. AFL aims to uncover who developed these guidelines.

Objectives of the Investigation

AFL’s senior counsel, Ian Prior, stated that the organization wants to find out how this guidance was created and if any external groups influenced its development. He emphasized the need to determine the extent of external involvement, if any.

‘We’re still seeking to determine how far this goes,’ Prior said. ‘That’s why we’re investigating, to get to the bottom of it.’

The investigation was spurred by the original reporting from Fox News Digital, according to Prior.

Guidance Details

The FCPS guidance suggests that teachers should refrain from discussing extremist interpretations of Islam. Teachers are also instructed to prepare for potential anti-Muslim rhetoric and create environments that support Muslim and Middle Eastern students.

When Fox News Digital sought comments from FCPS, the district did not specify who developed or approved the guidance. They referred to a statement from Superintendent Michelle Reid, which condemned the 9/11 attacks and highlighted community ties to the Pentagon and first responders.

Reactions and Opinions

AFL accused the school district of attempting to ‘sanitize history’ and called for transparency about the individuals responsible for the creation of the guidance. AFL’s Will Scolinos criticized FCPS’s approach, arguing it removes key elements of truth regarding the 9/11 attacks.

Teaching the Events of 9/11

For elementary students, the district advises a simple introduction to the events. For older students, teachers are provided with more detailed language about the attacks, stating that ‘members of the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four planes.’

The guidance emphasizes focusing on the victims and those who sacrificed and notes the diverse experiences of families in Northern Virginia. Acknowledging both the impact on military and first responder families and the concerns of Muslim families about harassment is advised.

The AFL has not decided on future actions, awaiting the investigation’s findings. Further actions will depend on the outcomes of the inquiry.