On Friday, Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill, HB 2008, sponsored by Republican State Representative Quang Nguyen creating anti-communist civics education for Arizona high school students.
HB 2008 directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to update its high school social studies academic standards to incorporate a comparative discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding principles of the United States of America.
“Having grown up in Vietnam and survived three communist invasions, I have a deep love and appreciation for the United States and its freedoms, which are guaranteed to all,” said Representative Nguyen. “It’s my intent for Arizona’s students to graduate with a similar appreciation for what it means to be an American. This civics standards update will help ensure that our students are taught the brutal facts of oppressive communist systems and how they are fundamentally antithetical to America’s founding principles.”