Educators: End Native American Mascots

New York school districts that don’t change their Native American-themed mascots are in danger of losing state aid or having their staff fired, the state education department said this week. Announced with new guidance.

New York’s top education authority has repeatedly opposed the use of Native American images and mascots in schools in an ongoing legal battle with Washington County’s Cambridge Central School District.

Guidance released by the state education department calls for an end to Native American mascots and images in schools by the end of the current school year this spring.

“Penalties for such violations include dismissal of school officials and withholding of state aid,” the guidance said.

Education officials believe that schools that put mascots in place “violate” the All Students Dignity Act, which is intended to ban hostile environments and psychological harm to students. increase.

It’s not clear how many of the state’s 700 or so school districts continue to use Native American-themed mascots and logos beyond the controversy with Cambridge.

“School is a learning environment. Students learn as much from observing their surroundings as they do from direct instruction,” says the guidance. “In addition to their legal obligations, school boards that continue to use Native American mascots should reflect the message their choices convey to students, parents, and their communities.”