Standing Firm - Opposition & Adversity
Carolyn has fought diligently against the status quo to bring parents meaningful school choice and achieve success at American Prep schools. Carolyn is often recognized for her APA's success - by state agencies, national groups, parent groups, and education research organizations. Yet she has been persistently attacked for her principled and unapologetic leadership. Anti-school-choice bias from the media, endemic bureaucracy from the educational establishment, and lawfare from special interests have tried (and failed) to distract Carolyn from her mission to bring educational excellence to every child. A few examples of these attacks follow. They are viewed by Carolyn's supporters as a badge of honor reflecting the importance of her work and a testament to her ability to succeed in the face of relentless attack. You can read Carolyn's view on opposition in school choice here.
ACLU
Discrimination investigation
American Prep in West Valley, Utah is Utah's most diverse school. The ACLU attacked Carolyn for her insistence on English language learning and the school's mission of unapologetically supporting immigrant students in their assimilation to America. Carolyn brought the ACLU out to the school and a meaningful discussion took place, with ACLU leaders ultimately speaking highly of students' experience at the school.
Utah's Department of Education
Special education lawsuit
Carolyn provides the "least restrictive environment" to Special Education students in her innovative school model by integrating students with disabilities into classrooms with their peers whenever possible. Her program effectively used special education dollars to hire the supplemental staff needed to provide this non-discriminatory standard. Utah's DOE insisted that Carolyn MUST segregate Special Education students in order to receive state special education funding. Carolyn refused and worked with Utah legislators to clarify the laws around Special Education to allow schools to do what's best for the students in their care.
Mainstream Media
Trump support backlash
Carolyn's conservative values and support of Trump's policies have resulted in a barrage of criticism from entrenched educators and deep-state bureaucrats in league with the mainstream media.
Utah's Department of Education
Upholding the Constitution
Utah's Department of Education encouraged schools to distribute surveys (called the SHARP survey) which among many objectionable things asked students about their sexual preferences. A similar state DOE model climate survey violated parent's rights and local control by forcing state-wide distribution of these improper surveys to children. Carolyn refused to administer these surveys and rallied the legislature to prohibit the mandatory distribution of such surveys. She prevailed as the law was changed making the surveys optional.