Iowa Republicans Call for Teachers to be Monitored by Cameras — The Mountain

“History teaches but has no students.” Conservatives, the self-proclaimed defenders of tradition and the America of old are cracking down on American history. Conservatives from the Atlantic to the Pacific are fighting the teaching of “Critical Race Theory.” For many people, it is a school of thought focusing on how material conditions disparately impact people of color and that those disparate conditions stem from systematic racism over centuries. To conservatives, it is indoctrinating white children that they are evil and tainted with some original sin that obligates them to live in shame. For conservatives, Critical Race Theory is but one form of a broader conspiracy that liberals are trying to indoctrinate America’s youth into becoming Marxists. While Critical Race Theory academically refers to a specific school of thought, the goal posts have been moved to the point that teaching the most basic truths of American history, that this country was built on slavery, has become a part of this academic subject. In another episode in Republicans' mistrust of the education system, Iowa republicans have called for cameras to be installed in every public school classroom in the state, ostensibly to “showcase the great work our teachers do.”

“Similar to a body camera on a policeman, a camera takes away the ‘he said, she said’ or ‘he said,' ’type argument and lets them know ‘hey, we are doing a good job.’ It takes that argument away.” Iowa Republican Norlin Mommsen explained. According to the bill, any teacher who “obstructs, disconnects, or otherwise causes a camera or online site not to function” could be fined a part of their weekly salary. The wording of “otherwise causes a camera or online site not to function” implies that if the cameras stop working or malfunction (which is common with any technology) the teacher could still be found liable and be fined a part of their salary. If a school superintendent fails to ensure this system of surveillance works, they too could be fined part of their weekly salary. Funding for the cameras would be paid by school foundation aid overseen by the state of Iowa. The only exceptions to the cameras would be classrooms meant for special education and gymnasiums. Iowa, like many states, is struggling with teacher shortages as a consequence of the pandemic, virtual learning, and stagnating wages.

Iowa’s teachers expressed immediate and adamant opposition to the camera bill. “The inappropriateness of belief that there should be continual videotaping in a classroom is something that should not even be considered," said Mike Beranek, the president of the Iowa State Education Association. Becky Pringle, leader of the largest educators union in the United States was similarly opposed: “Instead of wasting public funds on monitoring equipment, we should employ additional qualified professionals, reduce class sizes, and provide more programming that helps students acquire the skills they need.” Both houses of the Iowa government are controlled by Republicans and Iowa’s governor, Kim Reynolds, is a Republican. Governor Reynolds has previously signed laws focused on targeting the teaching of critical race theory and other concepts in government diversity training and classroom curriculum when she signed a bill that banned the teaching that the United States or the state of Iowa is fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist. That law was copied almost verbatim from a Trump administration executive order.

The most obvious reason why this is a horrible idea could be spotted by anyone who has worked a job. Who enjoys being watched while they work, wondering if those eyes over your shoulder are disapproving of your day's work? Having live cameras in a public school classroom is sure to make the job of being a teacher only more stressful, disenchanting, and miserable. The average American has work, chores, a never-ending list of errands that take up their day. Yet, at the same time, there is an army of activist parents who have nothing better to do but stare at their students in 5th-period social studies and micromanage teachers and students alike. It would be miserable for the students almost as much as the teacher. God forbid a teacher slip the words “slavery”, “racism”, or “systematic” and that Mom will be dialing the principal to vent her outrage. Then comes the call for that teacher to go sit down with the administration and explain themselves like they are a criminal. Making teachers feel like they are perpetually being watched is an extreme example of how to chill freedoms. Conservatives have stopped bemoaning about the world turning into 1984 and pivoted to speeding up that process.

Similar legal attacks on American history are appearing across America. A bill in Oklahoma would ban the teaching that “[t]hat one race is the unique oppressor in the institution of slavery” and “[t]hat another race is the unique victim in the institution of slavery.” In that bill, entire school districts could see their state funding slashed for endorsing these radical and extreme ideas. Republicans control both houses in Iowa, A task force looking into claims of critical race theory “indoctrination" in Idaho schools is seeking records from the Boise School District, a move critics say is aimed at intimidating teachers. The Alabama State Department of Education announced plans to introduce a resolution banning the study of critical race theory in public schools. Community meetings over the school district have gone from treatment for Insomnia to screaming matches between parents, teachers, and members of the community. While not new to America, a new wave of historical revisionism is coming to America, ornamented in the flag and cross.