When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for the American People to dissolve the bands which have connected them to the current educational system, and to assume among the powers of the earth their rightful authority over the education their children receive about America, a decent respect for those whom we the people have entrusted to educate our youth requires that we should declare the causes which impel us to our separation.  

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that our children deserve the greatest education on earth; that education is about discovery, not indoctrination; that the health of America depends on citizens who understand and appreciate the principles of self-government; and that a proper, honest civic education showcases both a nation’s successes and its failures, free of partiality and minimization. When the educational system begins to depart from these held truths, it is the right of the people to alter it. Such is now the case in the United States, and such is now the necessity which constrains us to act.  

The recent history of the United States’ educational system is one of growing neglect of true history and honest understanding of America’s principles, all having in direct object the indoctrination of young people in the divisive idea that America’s story is one of oppression rather than creation of a citizenry who understand and respect America’s history and Founding principles. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

That America is falling behind in civic education;

That an alarming percentage of students are no longer aware of basic historical facts about their country;

That too many students no longer understand the most essential thing about America—the principles of self-government on which our country was founded;

That U.S. textbooks are frequently incomplete or biased; and

That educational excellence has too often taken a backseat to the agendas of bureaucracies and political decisionmakers.

The time has come for us to take back control of the education our children receive about America and make it into a force for creating informed, thoughtful citizens. 

We, therefore, the people of the United States of America, declare independence from biased textbooks that push narratives rather than educate; we declare independence from political agendas in the classroom; and we declare independence from a way of education that is focused on indoctrination rather than understanding our principles and learning from our past.  

Rather, we embrace an educational approach that teaches children how to use their own reason to analyze and interpret history according to primary documents; an approach that fosters an atmosphere of civil conversation in the classroom; an approach that provides a fundamental knowledge of America’s institutions, principles, and history—the good, the bad, and the ugly; an approach that showcases the entirety of the American story and our growth as a nation. 

We, therefore, solemnly publish and declare our support for a break from the modern-day status quo. We declare our intent to promote a new system that employs discovery of truth for oneself through discussion of primary-source documents. This new approach to education will enhance the ability of America’s youth to think critically and thoughtfully and restore respect for and devotion to our exceptional nation as we continue along the path toward a more perfect union for generations to come. 

Signed,