Department of Education to finance neutral 2nd Amendment high school curriculum

The U.S. Department of Education has granted the University of Wyoming nearly $1 million to create a "historically informed" curriculum focused on the Second Amendment. The universitys Firearms Research Center stated that the program aims to provide educators across the country with resources to understand the constitutional right to bear arms.

The initiative is funded through a two-year, $908,991 grant from the departments American History and Civics Education Program, which is part of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration. In September, President Donald Trump allocated $137 million to this program, which The New York Times noted is overseen by organizations closely associated with his administrations agenda.

The National Second Amendment Initiative will supply teachers with educational materials, videos, and scholarly perspectives representing multiple viewpoints on the often-debated issue of firearms in the United States.

"This project will celebrate the nations 250th anniversary by helping educators explore the complexity of the founding documents," said Ashley Hlebinsky, executive director of the Firearms Research Center.

Because the Constitution does not assign the federal government authority over school curricula, the Department of Education cannot mandate adoption. Its legal role is limited to ensuring compliance with federal education laws, such as the Civil Rights Act, and administering the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Why the University of Wyoming?

While constitutional law programs exist at many universities, few focus specifically on the Second Amendment. Besides Wyoming, Duke University hosts the Duke Center for Firearms Law, which examines firearms law without emphasizing gun violence prevention. Wyomings law school describes itself as the leading institution for training professionals involved with all aspects of firearms production, regulation, and use.

Classroom Implementation

Although states define general education requirements, teachers retain control over what is taught in their classrooms. The National Education Association, the nations largest teachers union, has historically advocated for gun control, citing school safety concerns and supporting restrictions on firearm possession and access. The union did not provide a comment on the new program.

Author: Caleb Jennings