Fairfax County Social Studies Coordinator Draws Criticism for Politically Motivated Training

Should Fairfax County Schools Teach Revisionist History, or Traditional American Values?

A recent in-service training for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle and high school social studies teachers sparked outrage after Dr. Ma’asehyahu Isra-UI, FCPS Coordinator of K-12 Social Studies, openly promoted a radical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda under the guise of historial education. The August 14th training at Fairfax High School, intended to prepare middle and high school social studies teachers for the upcoming school year, quickly turned into a platform for Dr. Isra-UI to advance left-leaning policies and revisionist history.

Dr. Isra-UI, formerly the president of the Virginia Social Studies Leadership Consortium, played a significant role in crafting Virginia's African American History Standards under Democratic Governor Ralph Northam. During his speech, he proudly touted his involvement in developing these standards and criticized the current Virginia History Standards, which he claimed "still seem to embrace a narrow version of history focused on American exceptionalism." The current standards were created by Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration.

Isra-UI urged teachers to utilize the resources available on the Carter G. Woodson Collaborative website, which align with previous versions of the Virginia History Standards. While Isra-UI presented this site as a valuable tool for fostering creativity and leadership among social studies specialists, concerns were raised about its overtly partisan content. The site promotes lessons that some argue prioritize a specific ideological perspective over a balanced and comprehensive education. This approach, though framed as supporting Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s vision for African American history, raises questions about whether it truly meets the educational needs of all students or merely advances a one-sided view shaped by the Commission on African American History Education’s technical edits to the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Education or Indoctrination?

A significant portion of Isra-UI’s presentation was dedicated to promoting controversial DEI-focused authors such as Ibram X. Kendi and Gholdy Muhammad, known for their "anti-racist" pedagogy. Isra-UI purchased a copy of Muhammad’s book, Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Teaching and Learning, for every school in the division, a move that many educators saw as an attempt to force a divisive racial ideology into the classroom. He also praised the renaming of schools from Confederate namesakes, such as Robert E. Lee, to more politically charged names like, “John Lewis School for Social Justice,” further indicating his agenda to reshape the narrative around American history.

The endorsement of a revisionist approach to history education by Isra-Ul, which prioritizes DEI principles over traditional American values, did not stop at promoting controversial authors. He criticized those who support "book bans," a reference to the ongoing debate about whether certain materials are appropriate for school curricula, suggesting that opponents of DEI are attempting to silence important voices.

What concerned many attendees the most was Isra-UI's apparent disdain for traditional American values. One educator, who asked to remain anonymous, reported that Isra-UI expressed a desire to see America's foundational principles challenged and reinterpreted—a stance that shocked those in attendance. This, combined with his use of a video featuring former President Donald Trump making a simple factual error to criticize the nation's historical knowledge, left many wondering whether the training was intended to educate or to indoctrinate.

The political nature of Isra-UI’s remarks appears to violate FCPS Regulation 4426.5, which prohibits employees from engaging in political activities within the workplace. The situation became even more troubling when it was revealed that FCPS High School Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction Specialists had used FCPS email systems and Schoology to promote webinars featuring panelists opposed to former President Trump, raising questions about whether FCPS leadership is selectively enforcing its policies on political neutrality.

What Are They Teaching?

As FCPS faces growing scrutiny, educators and parents are left questioning whether the district’s social studies agenda will continue to be influenced by radical partisan politics. The recent training session serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle over the content and direction of public education in America. Will Fairfax County schools remain a place where traditional American values are taught, or will they continue down the path of revisionist history driven by a DEI agenda? Only time will tell.