Differences in Education Policy Across U.S. States

Education policy in the United States varies significantly and is mainly decentralized, with each state reflecting distinct political ideologies and cultural values in its education system. While there are broad trends that align with political ideologies—often defined by red (conservative) and blue (liberal) states—there are still many nuances in how states approach education. Below are comparisons of how education policies vary across states, examining key areas like curriculum, sex education, and social values.

Red states, typically governed by conservative leadership, include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Blue states, generally led by liberal governments, include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Curriculum: U.S. History and American Exceptionalism vs. Cultural Inclusivity

Approaches to the values emphasized in public education heavily differ by political affiliation. For example, states that typically favor Republicans focus on American exceptionalism, teaching American history through a lens of patriotism and national pride to illustrate the country's unique role in world history. Texas, through its State Board of Education, asserts strong standards that focus on the importance of U.S. history, American exceptionalism, and the free market system. This approach is often criticized, as there's less emphasis on the critiques of U.S. history, such as systemic racism or the complexities of colonialism.

In comparison, states that usually lean Democratic tend to prioritize cultural diversity and an inclusive approach to history. They teach not just the conventional narrative of U.S. history but also highlight the experiences of marginalized groups, such as the history of slavery, civil rights movements, and LGBTQ+ issues. California's Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum mandates the teaching of diverse cultural narratives, with an aim to make students understand the impact of systemic racism and the fight for civil rights. However, this approach is also criticized for potentially overemphasizing certain aspects of history while downplaying or simplifying other important narratives, resulting in an idealized view of the past that doesn't fully engage with the complexities and contradictions of history.

Religious Education: Faith-Based Curricula vs. Secularism

Many red states allow or encourage teaching religious values in schools, with some permitting Bible studies as part of the curriculum. U.S. law does not allow public schools to provide religious instruction. Still, it is permitted as an option if participation is not encouraged or discouraged in such instruction and if students are not penalized for attending or not attending. These states may also allow for prayer in schools or the teaching of creationism in science classes. State legislators in Tennessee passed a bill allowing the creation of a state-sponsored Bible curriculum, giving all Tennessee counties a chance to offer the elective. Some red states also advocate for teaching intelligent design, a form of creationism, alongside evolution in science classes.

Conversely, blue states generally favor secularism in education, promoting inclusivity of all religious and non-religious views. Students are encouraged to critically engage with inequality, systemic discrimination, and activism issues. States often prioritize closing the achievement gap by offering specialized programs for underrepresented groups, including low-income students, students of color, and students with disabilities. Massachusetts has implemented Social Justice Standards that provide a framework for teaching diversity, bias, and social justice across subjects. Topics like gender identity, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ+ history are integrated into subjects such as health education, social studies, and even English literature. Starting in 2020, New Jersey became the second state in the U.S. to require LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula in public schools, mandating that students learn about the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to history.

Sex Education: Abstinence vs. Comprehensive Education

Concerning sex education, red states typically emphasize abstinence as the primary method for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They often oppose comprehensive sex education programs that include information about contraception, LGBTQ+ issues, or safe-sex practices. Utah follows a strict abstinence-based sex education policy, requiring that sex education emphasize abstinence until marriage and not include discussions of contraception unless it is framed in the context of preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

In stark contrast, blue states mandate age-appropriate sex education, which covers a wide range of topics such as consent, contraception, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ health issues. New York State has a strong, comprehensive sex education curriculum that covers topics like healthy relationships, gender identity, and reproductive rights starting from middle school.