AFL Investigates Fairfax County Schools’ 9/11 Teaching Guidance

America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Virginia. This follows a report by Fox News Digital uncovering controversial guidelines on teaching the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The focus is on understanding who was behind the instructions advising teachers not to “center the extremists or the acts of the extremists” related to the attacks.

Investigation Details

The conservative legal group initiated the probe after Fox News Digital reported just before the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The guidelines caution against associating the 9/11 attacks with Islam or Muslims, instead urging teachers not to focus on the extremists’ acts.

Ian Prior, senior counsel at America First Legal, expressed the group’s intent to uncover how FCPS developed the guidance and whether external organizations were involved. AFL aims to clarify the origins of these guidelines and their development process.

FCPS’s Guidance and Response

“Teachers should emphasize resilience, support, and resistance, focusing on those who lost their lives and those who helped, rather than the attackers.” – Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools released a six-page guide titled “25th Anniversary and Commemoration of 9/11,” available to teachers via the district’s Atlas site. The guide suggests talking points such as describing the attacks without detailing the extremist ideology or assigning blame to Islam or Muslims.

While this document provides considerations to prevent stigmatizing Muslim and Middle Eastern students, FCPS did not specify who authored or approved it. They referred inquiries to a statement by Superintendent Michelle Reid, reaffirming condemnation of the attacks and a commitment to reviewing materials based on community feedback.

AFL’s Concerns and Potential Actions

AFL criticizes the school district for attempting to “sanitize history” and calls for transparency. They have filed a Freedom of Information Act request but have yet to detail the specific records sought. AFL has not decided on subsequent actions, awaiting the investigation’s findings.

For teaching younger students, FCPS suggests a simplified introduction about the attack on the United States, allowing for age-appropriate discussions. For older students, details include al-Qaeda’s responsibility and the courageous acts of Flight 93 passengers. This approach aims to balance diverse experiences within the Northern Virginia district.

Will Scolinos, AFL counsel, argues that FCPS’s strategy omits critical aspects of the historical events. AFL seeks to ensure transparency and accuracy in teaching about September 11, 2001. Prior notes AFL’s actions will be influenced by the outcome of the ongoing investigation.