[This is the comment I made, as referred to in the previous post]
Maybe Going To Court Is The Only Way
Parents have no clout when it comes to public education decisions. The Common Core standards and 21st Century Learning (Canada) initiatives are being rammed down our throats. There are similar initiatives in other parts of the globe.
What is astonishing is the unusual agreement between traditional enemies in the system — the ed establishment and the teacher unions. What is evident is that the unions are getting on board because while centralized “standards” may prevail, the choice of materials is being left to the “autonomy” of local teachers or individual schools.
Thus, the embedding of social justice, critical thinking and emancipatory lessons by teachers in their classrooms will proceed, maybe slowly, but progressive teachers will be emboldened as they go along. And, let’s not forget, critical thinking is no longer the logical, commonsense stuff we might expect. No, it is critical pedagogy, critical Marxist theory, and you’re right, unprepared teachers will be “grabbing” at what’s nearest and handiest. Left-leaning materials will be readily available.
If we seriously believe that our children and grandchildren deserve both sides presented in controversial content we might need to go to court.
In England when Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, was challenged by some parents no-one listened until a court case ruled otherwise. There is a UK law, Sec 406 of the School Act, which forbids the promotion of partisan political views in teaching.
The Judge (2007) did not forbid the showing of the film, but being cognizant of students as a captive audience under the auspices of the School Act his legal guidelines include:
– It is understood the film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument
– If teachers do not make this clear they are in breach of the Section and guilty of political indoctrination
– Nine inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of students when the film is shown.
I have read blog comments from British students visiting America saying how shocked they are when this film was shown to US students without these guidelines.
Hopefully, this story might encourage helpless parents to mount legal challenges to indoctrination in public schools.
[…] √ Maybe going to court is the only way. In England when Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, was challenged by some parents no-one listened until a court case ruled otherwise. There is a UK law, Sec 406 of the School Act, which forbids the promotion of partisan political views in teaching. The Judge (2007) did not forbid the showing of the film, but provided legal guidelines for continued showings: – It is understood the film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument – If teachers do not make this clear they are in breach of the Section and guilty of political indoctrination – Nine inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of students when the film is shown. http://www.parentsteachingparents.net/2014/02/maybe-going-to-court-is-the-only-way/ […]