Friday, June 13, 2014

South Carolina Republican government overreach, design curriculum their way for schools.

While Republicans whine and complain about liberal indoctrination in our public schools and government overreach with Common Core, they’re busy at work dictating and politicizing what and what can’t be taught in our schools...in South Carolina anyway. 

Republican “local control” of education means shaping curriculum to their world view. Check out this outrageous set of events now getting national attention:  
Fox News: The South Carolina legislature has rankled liberal groups after requiring that a pair of public schools use state funds to teach the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, including the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals." State House lawmakers previously had cut funds from two public universities in retaliation for required-reading material containing homosexual themes. A revised budget passed restored the money but dictated that exact amount be spent "for instruction in the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution.
Breathtaking. That’s not all. Republicans also insist on offering “opposing” courses for those who object to what might be considered a liberal agenda. 
The legislation also says that any school that conducts a mandatory reading program must provide an alternative in case the chosen book conflicts with any students’ moral or religious beliefs. 
WTF Moment: Gov. Nikki Haley didn't like the GOP manipulating public education, but said, oh, what the heck:
Gov. Nikki Haley went along with the Constitution requirement on Thursday, saying she did not agree with it but kept it in because lawmakers spent so much time on the bill. She said her office "didn't want to interject ourselves into that." "I don't believe legislators should micromanage our boards," she said, according to The Associated Press. "They elect board members, so if they want to beat up on them, go for it... but to go in there and micromanage books being read, I think that's out of our purview."
The saner side of the debate:
The National Coalition Against Censorship, ACLU of South Carolina and other groups said “It represents unwarranted political interference with academic freedom and undermines the integrity of the higher education system in South Carolina,” the groups said.
Here’s the conservative idiot at the center of this fiasco. His objective is to prevent people from learning about other different people in required reading assignments:

Republican state Rep. Garry Smith, who introduced the cuts in the House, told FoxNews.com in March he received complaints from constituents who have children at both schools. He said when they or their students objected to the books' content, they were told they could not read an alternative book. “I appreciate the issue of freedom and academic freedom and very much support that, but in this case it was very irresponsibly exercised,” he said.
But he really doesn't.

5 comments:

  1. Yeah it would really be unfortunate if they were required to learn the principles that founded the country they happen to live in.

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  2. Doh, that's not the point genius. The course might be a good idea, but politicians should not be dictating educational policy. God what do I have to do to get through to you losers?

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  3. Then why oh why is there a "Department of Education" (Indoctrination) ?

    Have you not listened to Charlotte Iserbyt yet?

    You have to think for yourself and back up your opinions with actual facts. That's all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unlike conservative blogs, I base all my opinions on my research, which are included on this blog.

    Maybe you should check my blog under key word Charter, or Voucher and read up.

    Department of Education doesn't mean indoctrination, unless controlled by Republican right wing authoritarians, which is what this story is all about. How simple do I have to make these stories?

    Charlotte Iserbyt is another fear mongering wacko spreading conspiracy theories. Far behind is Diane Ravitch, who is a more toned down alarmist. From Wiki, this about Iserbyt's theory about the intentions of our government...
    "eliminate the influences of a child's parents (religion, morals, national patriotism), and mold the child into a member of the proletariat."

    It sounds like it worked on you? Me? Get a life.

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  5. Thats exactly what they have done. An immoral society will always be ruled by a dictator. Left/Right... It won't matter. Some of us have evolved beyond that false paradigm.

    It must be difficult not knowing the difference between your government (controlled by banks) and your country.

    Arguing with an ignorant moron with a one way view and a closed mind is a waste of my time. I tried. There is no hope for you and I have million more productive things to do.

    Lots of luck buddy.

    ReplyDelete