Thoughts on teaching
Given the recent changes that the Texas School Board has approved, I have made up my mind that when I have children, they will be either home-schooled by me or will attend a nonsectarian private school. Or an approved Montessori. Either way, I will be strictly examining the curriculum. If my children ever attend public school ... well... I learned quite well from my mother how to be hell on earth to a school system.
The reasons for this are the changes given below:
• Struck the word "democratic" in references to the form of U.S. government and replaced it with "constitutional republic."
• Added references to "laws of nature and nature's God" in lessons about major political ideas.
• Rejected lessons about why the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom.
• Removed most references to "capitalism," "capitalist" and "free market," because conservatives said they had a "negative connotation." Instead, "free enterprise" will be used when referring to the U.S. economic system.
( Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/03/texas-school-board-backs-conservative-curriculum/1
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPQ3ktQNqImWyQ23yXKoCFXWrN1QD9EDB7T80 )
These changes, combined with others, has really gotten me incredibly cynical with the entire public school system where religion is swaying an incredible amount of curriculum. This is not the place for it. And every time I see these changes being made, my chest aches for what these students are missing out on because of someone's restricted views.
Now in regards to the points above: The ones that really REALLY irk me, are points 2 and 3.
Added references to "laws of nature and nature's God" in lessons about major political ideas.
Great. Just great. I thought this wonderful nation of the United States was founded on the principle that the church and state were separate. So... you know... politics isn't driven by religion. This is of course a naive hope of mine, but it truly illustrates just how much it ISN'T true. In fact, this statement above only enforces references to christianity in schools. "But, it agreed to strengthen nods to Christianity by adding references to "laws of nature and nature's God" to a section in U.S. history that requires students to explain major political ideas." This unfortunately, ties in with point 3.
Rejected lessons about why the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom.
So... that whole "pilgrims were tired of religious prosecution so they came to America to practice what they wanted" thing will be completely tossed out? America is a place where you can worship what you wish (or not at all). Where the government cannot tell you what your religion is. Yet here we have this message not being sent at all. What they are deciding to omit is a key factor in WHY the United States was founded and how we came to be what we are today (not that it's really anything to be superbly proud of) Instead, students will learn how -Christian- principles were important to the founding fathers. "McLeroy, a 10-year board veteran, has been one of the most prolific and polarizing members. The devout Christian conservative has been adamant on several issues, including that the Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers are important to studying American history." Christianity is not the point. The founding fathers wanted to build their own government with freedoms for everybody. We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights Notice they didn't say "God", they said creator. Vague. Anyone's creator. Whoever the hell they believe in. The United States was settled because the pilgrims wanted religious freedom. Christianity again has nothing to do with it. Christians were prosecuting christians!
Curriculum standards are set by this and schoolchildren will suffer for it.
Motions were also rejected to include references to influential hispanic figures in US history. "Numerous attempts to add the names or references to important Hispanics throughout history also were denied, inducing one amendment that would specify that Tejanos died at the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie." So now only black and white men are included in our history as 'important' or 'influential.'
There is at least a small ray of hope. Some school board members walked out in disgust and frustration but were ultimately outvoted by heavily christian biased board.
Oh no. I'm not bitter at all about our mishmash of politics, education and religion.
If you want your child to get a dose of religion in school, send them to a bloody religious school. It does not belong in a public system. AT ALL.
The reasons for this are the changes given below:
• Struck the word "democratic" in references to the form of U.S. government and replaced it with "constitutional republic."
• Added references to "laws of nature and nature's God" in lessons about major political ideas.
• Rejected lessons about why the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom.
• Removed most references to "capitalism," "capitalist" and "free market," because conservatives said they had a "negative connotation." Instead, "free enterprise" will be used when referring to the U.S. economic system.
( Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/03/texas-school-board-backs-conservative-curriculum/1
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPQ3ktQNqImWyQ23yXKoCFXWrN1QD9EDB7T80 )
These changes, combined with others, has really gotten me incredibly cynical with the entire public school system where religion is swaying an incredible amount of curriculum. This is not the place for it. And every time I see these changes being made, my chest aches for what these students are missing out on because of someone's restricted views.
Now in regards to the points above: The ones that really REALLY irk me, are points 2 and 3.
Added references to "laws of nature and nature's God" in lessons about major political ideas.
Great. Just great. I thought this wonderful nation of the United States was founded on the principle that the church and state were separate. So... you know... politics isn't driven by religion. This is of course a naive hope of mine, but it truly illustrates just how much it ISN'T true. In fact, this statement above only enforces references to christianity in schools. "But, it agreed to strengthen nods to Christianity by adding references to "laws of nature and nature's God" to a section in U.S. history that requires students to explain major political ideas." This unfortunately, ties in with point 3.
Rejected lessons about why the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom.
So... that whole "pilgrims were tired of religious prosecution so they came to America to practice what they wanted" thing will be completely tossed out? America is a place where you can worship what you wish (or not at all). Where the government cannot tell you what your religion is. Yet here we have this message not being sent at all. What they are deciding to omit is a key factor in WHY the United States was founded and how we came to be what we are today (not that it's really anything to be superbly proud of) Instead, students will learn how -Christian- principles were important to the founding fathers. "McLeroy, a 10-year board veteran, has been one of the most prolific and polarizing members. The devout Christian conservative has been adamant on several issues, including that the Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers are important to studying American history." Christianity is not the point. The founding fathers wanted to build their own government with freedoms for everybody. We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights Notice they didn't say "God", they said creator. Vague. Anyone's creator. Whoever the hell they believe in. The United States was settled because the pilgrims wanted religious freedom. Christianity again has nothing to do with it. Christians were prosecuting christians!
Curriculum standards are set by this and schoolchildren will suffer for it.
Motions were also rejected to include references to influential hispanic figures in US history. "Numerous attempts to add the names or references to important Hispanics throughout history also were denied, inducing one amendment that would specify that Tejanos died at the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie." So now only black and white men are included in our history as 'important' or 'influential.'
There is at least a small ray of hope. Some school board members walked out in disgust and frustration but were ultimately outvoted by heavily christian biased board.
Oh no. I'm not bitter at all about our mishmash of politics, education and religion.
If you want your child to get a dose of religion in school, send them to a bloody religious school. It does not belong in a public system. AT ALL.