School Tries to Simulate History Lesson on Taxes, but It Leads to Confusion

In Virginia, Laurel Ridge Elementary School sent a fictional letter home, complete with the county school system letterhead, and it led to controversy. The letter was simulating unlawful taxation on goods, in this case, paper to be used by students.

The simulation was to teach elementary school students about the Stamp Act, which led up to the American Revolutionary War. The Stamp Act was one of several taxies levied by the British crown onto American colonists. After other similar taxes, the American colonists rebelled, culminating in the famous Boston Tea Party in Boston harbor where colonists dumped tea into the water.

However, due to the official letterhead and alleged unclear description in the letter from the school, parents were confused and complained on social media.

The school apologized for the simulation, which confusion was attributed to parents getting overwhelmed by holiday mail and not reading the material in a careful manner. It should be noted that around the country, although not necessarily in Virginia, students have been used as “pack mules” for years with teachers routinely stuffing fliers for political causes into their pupils backpacks.

Nevertheless, one wonders how Laurel Ridge is going to demonstrate the Franking Privilege.

Photo by national museum of american history

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