restoring our biblical and constitutional foundations
Brand New American Schools? No Thanks
In case you havent noticed it, a new generation of school reformers are viewing our school-aged children as so much human capitalraw material to be molded and shaped into the building materials for Bushs New World Order. If you dont believe me, just try asking your local high school student to name his or her two Senators in Congress, or to quote the First Amendment, or to discuss states rights.
I know Im reopening a can of worms, but I think the state of education in America today is, frankly, tragic. Instead of teaching the next generation the core knowledge necessary to produce free, intelligent, and independent thinkers, our current educational efforts are directed toward creating a compliant, task-oriented workforce with politically correct beliefs and behavior.
Just over a decade ago Lamar Alexander, while president of the University of Tennessee, challenged Americas top educators to create what he called brand new American schools. He said:
I would think the brand new American school would be open year roundopen from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. A second characterization might be that these schools would serve children from age three months to eighteen years of age. A shocking thought to youbut if you were to do an inventory of every baby in your community and think about the needs of those babies for the next four or five years, you might see that those needs might not be served in any other waythey have to be served in some wayand maybe around the school. Or if you study a little more, you might go back to thinking the school might need to serve the pregnant mother of the baby in terms of prenatal care.
After making this mind-boggling speech, Alexander was named U.S. Secretary of Education by then-President George Bush!
Since that time we have seen control over education and employment practices move from individuals, families, local and state school boards, and state legislators to the unelected National Skills Standard and State Workforce Development Boards. Former President Clintons plans for a national workforce of skilled laborers has been achieved through the Goals 2000 Educate America Act (HR 1804), the School-to-Work Opportunities Act (HR 2884), and the Improving Americas School Act (HR 6). Our schools have been restructured to teach labor skills and to focus on changing attitudes and especially unacceptable social behaviors.
I simply cannot believe that responsible adults would ever want their childrens education to be more about transferring phone calls than about the basic facts of American history, literature, science, morality, etc. Alas, therein lies the rub. Get into a political discussion with your peers these days and you will see what I mean.
You mean to tell me that Bush has appointed homosexual activists to his administration?
Yes, thats right.
But hes a born-again Christian!
I know, but he has promoted the gay agenda as much as any other president in history.
I dont believe it.
Well, when the man who occupies the White House puts homosexual activists at the table in his administration, promotes and signs pro-gay legislation, and refuses to meet with ex-gays and other Christian organizations to discuss the issue, doesnt it send a confusing message about his claim to be pro-family?
But he promised to restore honor to the White House during his presidential campaign, didnt he?
Thats my point!
Of course, I know youre saying to yourself, But my childs school is an exception. Friends, after 30 years of federal aid to education, the ugly tentacles of the federal government now reach into every school district in the nation! The fact is that biblical principles are banned in your local public school and Jesus Christ is robbed of His deserved preeminence in all things. Isnt it time to acknowledge that only in a Christian school or homeschool can our children be challenged to meditate in the law of the Lord day and night?
I dont know about you, but I think its time to bid Good Day to our brand new American schools.
July 9, 2003
David Alan Black is the editor of www.daveblackonline.com.