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Education Cartel
Weighs in on New Standards
"The anti-war, anti-wealth, pro-outsiders people are not
represented" -- statement at public hearing Monday, September
15th, by a retired philosophy professor from the University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He was resoundingly applauded by the Chairman of
the Moorhead school board and other local educators who apparently believe
that focusing on America's negatives will give students a positive
education.
Commentary by Julie Sorenson
Published in the "The Fargo-Moorhead Forum" daily newspaper
September 23, 2003
Here's a pop-quiz for anyone whose tax dollars pay for the education of
our future generations:
What do you want students to know about America?
-
The United States "is a unique country that stands for something special in the world."
-
American capitalism causes problems in the world.
-
We have a terrible future, and NOT talking about the dark side does more harm
than good. -
There is no reference to God in the Constitution.
-
Don't care.
OK. Pencils down. What? You
didn't know there would be a test today? Well, you have until October
22 to give your answers. The Minnesota Department of Education wants you
to look over its proposed new standards for science and social studies,
written this summer by volunteer parents and educators. (In
case you missed it, new math and language arts standards were written
last spring.)
The proposed standards are published at http://www.education.state.mn.us,
along with a place to e-mail your comments. Better yet, travel
to speak at one of the hearings. Not only will you be heard,
but you'll hear what everyone else is saying at these hearings, as I
did last Monday night.
Answer A:
Now then, let's look at your answer. If you checked "A,"
you agree with 85 percent of American parents who described what they
want the schools to teach about our country. In the survey,
sponsored by the Fordham Foundation, the American Federation of Teachers
and the National Education Association, 85 percent of parents said
that "to graduate from high school, students should be required
to show they understand the common history and ideas that tie all
Americans together."
Citing this study, Minnesota's Commissioner of Education, Dr. Cheri
Pierson Yecke asked the history and social studies committee members
to "look to the greatness of America as you write new standards
for the children of Minnesota."
Answer B:
If your answer is "B," you agree with Kristine Thompson,
Chairman of the school board for the Moorhead Public Schools.
She testified Monday night in Moorhead that the proposed new
standards contain "not enough teaching on the problems capitalism has
caused in the world."
While many educators testified that the new standards contain too
"broad and expansive" a list of subjects that must be
covered, other teachers bemoaned a long list of topics which are not
required, each of them focusing on shortcomings and dark moments in American
history.
Answer C:
Answer "C" is a direct quote from testimony given by Dr. Phillip
Griffin, a retired philosophy professor from the University of
Wisconsin- Eau Claire. He was resoundingly applauded by Thompson and
other local educators who apparently believe that focusing on America's
negatives will give students a positive education.
"There is a lack of & criticism of prevailing world views,"
he said of the proposed standards. "The anti-war,
anti-wealth, pro- outsiders people are not represented."
Answer D:
Answer "D" is what Wesley Twombley, a North Dakota State
University employee, says should be added to the standards if
students are required to acknowledge that there are four references
to God in the Declaration of Independence. "Social Studies is
no place for religion," he said. I believe it is decidedly impossible
to accurately tell the story of our nation's birth without
referencing the religious motivations of the country's founders.
To try to do so is completely dishonest.
Answer E:
f your answer is E, heaven help us. Should the majority of Americans
join you in your apathy, we won't long have a United States to study.
Thank you for completing this test. The results will be posted well
into the future.
Julie Sorenson
Moorhead, MN
EdWatch - 105 Peavey Rd, Ste 116, Chaska, MN
55318
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