NC could encourage history class lessons

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The Department of Public Instruction may encourage North Carolina high school teachers to use material from an institute funded by the conservative Koch family.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that the Virginia-based Bill of Rights Institute has a $100,000 contract with North Carolina to help develop materials for teachers in a course on the nation’s founding principles.

The institute receives money from David H. Koch and two Koch foundations.

The curriculum includes readings, activities, and questions students should discuss on the 10 principles in a 2011 law inspired by legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group backed by major corporations.

State School Superintendent Jane Atkinson said the institute was the only group the state could find to help write the curriculum.

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