KZRG NewsLatest NewsLocal InterestsNews Joplin MOTrending
Baker clarifies statement on Wokeness in school district
Wokeness is coming to a rural school district in our area according to Missouri State Representative Ben Baker of Neosho, “I get a text from a constituent in a rural school district sending a survey to kids asking about sexual identity and everything else and these parents are absolutely upset;”
Baker told Newstalk KZRG many bills passed by the House are being stalled in the State Senate because of redistricting.
Listen to the full interview here.
CLARIFICATION FROM BEN BAKER:
“Thursday of this week I made a comment on the KZRG radio show about a development happening in one school district in my area regarding student surveys. Screenshots of survey questions were sent to me from parents that were very concerned because of the sexual identity questions. I have not included those screenshots in this post but will send if someone requests them. Since then, after investigating and gathering info from parties involved, and having conversations with several school districts and parents, I want to clarify a few things on this situation so information is accurate.
– From what I understand the school did not solicit these surveys that included the gender identity questions and they were not disseminated to the students.
– Screenshots were taken by someone who was concerned from surveys that had been disseminated to some in other districts unintentionally but once school officials were made aware of the questions they pulled them immediately.
– From what I understand they are additional questions that can be added only if requested by the district.
– The survey is not a DESE survey but originates from the Dept of Mental Health and these additional questions that can be opted for are new this year.
– To summarize, from what I am hearing our local districts do not want these survey questions given out especially for 6th grade students.
Here are my thoughts on this and what action I will take moving forward:
– I am very concerned about the content, intent and purpose of the surveys from the Dept of Mental Health. I’m also concerned about the data collection. I even have some concerns about the standard student surveys once I read them, and am definitely concerned about the optional additional questions.
– I have concerns about the process of how these surveys are disseminated to the schools.
– I believe anytime the option is given for these surveys in general they need to be an opt in instead of an opt out.
– I will continue to investigate this from all angles and especially the state depts involved.
– I will seek to find a resolution for the sake of our children
*I want to be very clear that my concern and the concern of many parents I represent is NOT an attack on public education, it is doing my job in representing the 160th district and addressing concerns of the people.
These issues should be concerning to every parent in the district and we must be engaged to address the concern.
*From the perspective of my own opinion, I truly believe that there is a concerted effort from people in positions of the bureaucracy and activist organizations that are well funded to indoctrinate our children and we must be vigilant to fight back against that effort. There is no place for these questions about sexual identity in our schools! If parents want to request that their child take these surveys that is fine, that is their choice, but they should not be pushed on school districts and students. And there should be no situation wherein it is possible for these to “accidentally or unintentionally” end up in front of our students in school especially without a parent consenting.
– I need to hear more feedback and hear your thoughts on this issue. Please email me at ben.baker@house.mo.gov or call my office (673) 751-9781 if you have any questions or information on this issue.”