7 Most Absurd Things Kids Are Learning Thanks to the Conservative Gutting of Public Education

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/education/7-most-absurd-things-americas-kids-are-learning-thanks-conservative-gutting-public



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1. Mathematics: The Devil’s Playground

The publishing company boasts that, “Unlike the ‘modern math’ theorists, who believe that mathematics is a creation of man and thus arbitrary and relative, A Beka Book texts teach that the laws of mathematics are a creation of God and thus absolute.”

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2. Critical Thinking: There’s a Mnemonic Device For That

A Beka Book’s Health in Christian Perspective textbook makes it extremely clear that there is one and only one “Christian World View.” In that view, abortion—defined as "the killing of babies before birth”— for example, is a sin. But A Beka Book doesn’t just tell students what to think, it empowers them to think for themselves by employing the all-important "Biblical Discernment" method.


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3. Science: Yahweh or the Highway

Health in Christian Perspective also explains that,

“A non-Christian world view is any one that is based on the belief that there is something more reliable than the bible. The belief may come from church traditions scientific conclusions, or various theories. The most important teachings to be found in a Christian World View are... God made the world and everything in it; The world has fallen into a tragic state because of sin; and God is working to redeem this world to Himself.”

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4. Guns: Our Only Protection from Nazism and Globalism

Beka’s United States History—Heritage of Freedom In Christian Perspective reminds us that the men who founded this great nation would totally oppose background checks: "The founding fathers... understood that unarmed citizens would not be able to stand against a tyrannical government.” Gun control, according to this text, is simply a "gateway to tyranny." The book’s exhaustive analysis of world history backs up this brilliant assertion: "A study of Hitler's, Stalin's and Mao's ideas on disarming their citizens shows... they were well aware of the concept that control thrives when people are unarmed."

[GeorgeGist]

1. Given the roots of America ...

It probably is doomed to extinction.

IMO Greed and genocide make a toxic combiNation.

[theHandpuppet]

2. And if God also gave them a brain...

... he didn't intend for them to use it as a doorstop.

[seabeckind]

3. Hence the big push against common core standards

In my state and the other wingnut states.

In Indiana the argument is that the state wants "higher" standards...<wink, wink, nudge, nudge>

[Igel]

5. Not a sufficient or adequate reason.

Most of the people I know think of CC as a right-wing plot and are center-left or just plain left of center.

There may be multiple reasons for opposing CC, but we need evidence of causality and not just correlation.

In both cases, there's fear of a large entity coming in and dictating norms. For those left of center, it's some sort of education-based corporate entity or amalgam of corporations. For the right, it's the DOE and some sort of national collectivist conspiracy.

In both cases, it's the fear that the "truths" held by that side will be suppressed. And there are some on both sides.

[seabeckind]

6. I think you've got it backwards

Here's a fairly good article that presents a picture more in line with what I said. In Indiana it's argued from a standpoint of state's rights...(ie, we don't think the civil war was reported properly). Oh, and ain't no black guy gonna tell us how to teach our kids. Just gimme a voucher and I'll send them to church school.

"For some, the Common Core State Standards seemed to come from nowhere, and appeared to be a sneaky attack on states' rights to control local education. But for those involved in writing the standards, it was nothing short of an exhaustive and collaborative years-long effort aimed at raising the achievement levels of students across the country.

Although they only recently captured national attention, the Common Core standards – which lay out what students should know and be able to do by each grade – have been in the works since at least 2008. It all started with former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who was the 2006-07 chair of the National Governors Association and now leads the University of California system, says Dane Linn, a vice president of the Business Roundtable who oversees its Education and Workforce Committee."

http://www.usnews.com/news/special-reports/articles/2014/02/27/the-history-of-common-core-state-standards

[cali]

4. the should read "most absurd things kids are learning in religious voucher schools"

these schools are where those books are used.

[tkmorris]

7. Yep, this has jack-all to do with Common Core

I would be surprised if any of the materials quoted in the OP could be found in a public school.

[Captain Stern]

10. That's pretty much it.

And most of the kids that are being fed that bullshit....are going to be laughing at it (as well they should be) when they get to real schools.

[MisterP]

8. you telling me the New Math isn't diabolical? KnR

[JJChambers]

9. Cut the military budget by 90%

Redirect that funding to improving education and creating free higher education for all.