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This following article from Worldnetdaily is an example of the New Civics. The principles of freedom within the Declaration of Independence are being censored from the schools. The principles of national sovereignty, self-evident truth and inalienable rights are directly undermined in the National Standards on Civics and Government and the National History Standards. These standards form the foundation of most state standards, state assessments and the national test -- the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The Center for Civic Education (CCE) writes the National Standards on Civics and Government and the textbook based on those standards, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution. The CCE, its Standards and Textbook are funded by federal tax dollars through No Child Left Behind. (See FedEd: The New Federal Curriculum and How It's Enforced.)

LAW OF THE LAND
Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?
School district sued for censoring founding documents, state constitutions
Posted: November 23, 2004

© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

In a season typified by lawsuits against manger scenes, crosses and even the words "Merry Christmas," a California case is taking the "separation of church and state" one step further – dealing with whether it's unconstitutional to read the Declaration of Independence in public school.

Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit Monday against the Cupertino Union School District for prohibiting a teacher from providing supplemental handouts to students about American history because the historical documents contain some references to God and religion.

"Throwing aside all common sense, the district has chosen to censor men such as George Washington and documents like the Declaration of Independence," said ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb. "The district's actions conflict with American beliefs and are completely unconstitutional."

Patricia Vidmar, principal of the Stevens Creek School, reportedly ordered the teacher, Stephen Williams, to submit his lesson plans and supplemental handouts to her for advance approval. Aside from Williams, a Christian, no other teachers were subject to the advance-screening requirement, says the ADF.

Just what documents did Williams submit that were deemed unfit for the school's students?

"Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, the diaries of George Washington and John Adams, the writings of William Penn, and various state constitutions," said the public-interest law firm representing Willliams.

"Less than 5 percent of all of Mr. Williams' supplemental handouts distributed throughout the school year contain references to God and Christianity," McCaleb said. "The district is simply attempting to cleanse all references to the Christian religion from our nation's history, and they are singling out Mr. Williams for discriminatory treatment. Their actions are unacceptable under both California and federal law."

California's Education Code does allow "references to religion or references to or the use of religious literature … when such references or uses do not constitute instruction in religious principles … and when such references or uses are incidental to or illustrative of matters properly included in the course of study."

The case, Stephen J. Williams v. Cupertino Union School District, et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division.