Anti-Bush Agenda in Schools?Hey, we all know that for the most part schools are run by liberals and most teachers live on the left. This is a fact everyone is aware of. This is the way it has always been. Public schools, in my opinion, are still for the most part the best place for learning as immersion in all subjects related to required testing and testing for college (ACT, SAT) goes far toward helping kids score high on these tests. The constant exposure to all subjects covered in the tests and the social learning with regard to dealing with peers, understanding different points of view, exposure to the arts, etc. make public school a good place for a well-rounded education.
As most who work in the fied are on the left, those of us on the right do need to keep on top of what our kids are being taught with regard to politics, morals, etc. It is the bad parent who remains uninvolved and lets views they don't agree with go unchallenged and does not put opposing views in the proper perspective.
Having said that, I absolutely do NOT agree with teachers doing what this one person did in Vermont. He integrated an anti-Bush message within a required vocabulary quiz in school. The article follows below. Hey, I realize it's unrealistic to believe that you can curtail any and all comments by teachers with regard to politics one way or the other. Comments are going to happen. And I think it's a good thing kids are exposed to some degree to this as they will be faced with many who do not share their beliefs in their adult lives, and it's a good training ground for them to learn how to deal with it.
I'm sure this is not the first and won't be the last time this has and will happened. And I'm also sure that those few teachers who live life on the right may have done similar things when Clinton shamed our country with his oval office antics and committed perjury on the witness stand .
For us, it was clear Scytheboy's principal was a leftie when Bush was elected the second time - she televised Kerry's concession speech throughout the school, but the televisions were turned off when it came time for Bush to speak. This is an example of the many subtle ways some (not all - if you're one who doesn't do this I commend you and I apologize if my thoughts on this offend you) teachers attempt to convince students the liberal agenda is better. Scytheboy told us about it that day, and we discussed why she might have done this and explained to him that it was not a very democratic (as in how things are supposed to go in a democracy) thing to do...only showing one side.
So anyway, I think this guy went too far, but I also know a lot of teachers go too far promoting their beliefs, whatever they may be. It's our job as parents to discuss these things with our kids and make sure they understand what the motives might be, that it's wrong to integrate political leanings into class material, and to always tell us if something like this happens so we can talk about it and understand it.
The article follows in the extended post for your review. That's all I have to say on this.
Students: Teacher Gave Anti-Bush Vocab Quiz
Friday, November 25, 2005
BENNINGTON, Vt. — A high school teacher is facing questions from administrators after giving a vocabulary quiz that included digs at President Bush and the extreme right.
Bret Chenkin, a social studies and English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, said he gave the quiz to his students several months ago. The quiz asked students to pick the proper words to complete sentences.
One example: "I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes." "Coherent" is the right answer.
Principal Sue Maguire said she hoped to speak to whoever complained about the quiz and any students who might be concerned. She said she also would talk with Chenkin. School Superintendent Wesley Knapp said he was taking the situation seriously.
"It's absolutely unacceptable," Knapp said. "They (teachers) don't have a license to hold forth on a particular standpoint."
Chenkin, 36, a teacher for seven years, said he isn't shy about sharing his liberal views with students as a way of prompting debate, but said the quizzes are being taken out of context.
"The kids know it's hyperbolic, so-to-speak," he said. "They know it's tongue in cheek." But he said he would change his teaching methods if some are concerned.
"I'll put in both sides," he said. "Especially if it's going to cause a lot of grief."
The school is in Bennington, a community of about 16,500 in the southwest corner of the state.
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Comments
thanks for not lumping all teachers together and realizing there are some of us on the right and there ARE some of us who do not allow our personal views to show in the classroom! it is tough sometimes, but it does not benefit the students to tell them how to think. it is my job to encourage them to think for themselves and give them the tools to do so.
to respond to an earlier comment, it is impossible not to address politics or religion in the classroom. it is an essential part in learning the the development of our country. it is the method in which you do it that matters.
thanks! kontan jou!
Posted by: kontan on November 27, 2005 11:03 PM
I do not agree with politics being brought into play in school. It's the way I feel about religion. They all should be separate.
Posted by: Scully on November 27, 2005 04:26 PM
I am for anything that makes parents take note of what is going on in their child's life. Schoo; included.
Posted by: Sarcasmom on November 26, 2005 08:57 PM
Wow! School has sure changed from when I was a kid. We had no concept of hidden agendas or politisizing anything. But that's when we were allowed to have Santa Claus ad Witches and Goblins and so forth on the wall. It's a different world. Have a good weekend!
Posted by: MICHAEL MANNING on November 26, 2005 02:12 PM
