One Sixteenth

NEA - or Why Public Schools Are The Way They Are

First of all - Joanne, you crack me up. I came to my blog this morning to do exactly what I see you just did. Down to your initial post of just linking to the resolutions under the heading of "Why We Homeschool." We are scarily similar, in some ways.

The NEA recently wrapped up their yearly convention, and adopted a bunch of nifty new resolutions.

Joanne did a great job of critiquing them. I just want to add a few of my thoughts.

A-2. Educational Opportunity for All. The National Education Association believes that each student has the right to a free public education that should be suited to the needs of the individual and guaranteed by state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution. The Association also believes that all schools must be accredited under uniform standards established by the appropriate agencies in collaboration with the Association and its affiliates.

Okay. Free education that is suited to the needs of the individual ... all under uniform standards. Eh?

By the way, I am not against public schools. They are necessary, and they need to be good. I completely agree with the resolution above that there should be educational opportunity for all. Where they get you is with the "right" to the education. Because by "right" they mean "this is mandatory, and we will make you go even if you choose to waive this 'right.'" Give us the opportunity, and give us choice.

A-31. Federally or State-Mandated Choice/Parental Option Plans. The National Education Association believes that [these] plans compromise free, equitable, universal, and quality public education for every student. Therefore, the Association opposes such federally or state-mandated choice or parental option plans.

Mmmm-hmmm. Look at the language. Free, equitable, universal. And quality, of course. Free, equitable and universal mean everyone everywhere is to get the same education (tell me again how this will be "suited to the needs of the individual"? But see, it will be quality, so of course it will be desirable to all. Who wouldn't want quality?

Those plans promote choice, and an education that is actually suited to the needs of the individual. They also promote the parent as being the best determinant of what kind of education is suited to their children. The NEA does not want parents in control of that choice.

B-1. Early Childhood Education. The National Education Association supports early childhood education programs in the public schools for children from birth through age eight. The Association also supports a high-quality program of transition from home and/or preschool to the public kindergarten or first grade. This transition should include communication and cooperation among parents/guardians, the preschool staff, and the public school staff. The Association also believes that early childhood education programs should include a full continuum of services for parents/guardians and children, including child care, child development, developmentally appropriate and diversity-based curricula, special education, and appropriate bias-free screening devices. The Association believes that federal legislation should be enacted to assist in organizing the implementation of fully funded early childhood education programs offered through the public schools

This one is hard to read without just going into an apoplectic fit. BIRTH?? Perhaps the NEA should think long and hard about the difference between education and social services. Yes, Virginia, there is a difference. Why don't you stick to education? As in learnin' kids things? Jeff had a great saying for this: "in loco parentis does not mean 'act like a crazy parent.'"

These programs must be available to all children on an equal basis and should include mandatory kindergarten with compulsory attendance.

Why? Or: bite me.

B-8. Racial Diversity Within Student Populations. The Association believes that to achieve or maintain racial diversity, it may be necessary for elementary/secondary schools, colleges, and universities to take race into account in making decisions as to student admissions, assignments, and/or transfers.

There is, after all, nothing more important. One of the criticisms the NEA maintains against homeschooling is that it cannot provide exposure to diversity like the public schools can. Our local public elementary school, the one my kids would go to, is less than 2% black. What does the NEA think we should do about that?

B-40. Sex Education. The Association recognizes that the public school must assume an increasingly important role in providing the instruction. Teachers and health professionals must be qualified to teach in this area and must be legally protected from censorship and lawsuits. The Association also believes that to facilitate the realization of human potential, it is the right of every individual to live in an environment of freely available information and knowledge about sexuality and encourages affiliates and members to support appropriately established sex education programs. Such programs should include information on sexual abstinence, birth control and family planning, diversity of culture, diversity of sexual orientation, parenting skills, prenatal care, sexually transmitted diseases, incest, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, homophobia.

And I submit that this is none of the school's business. I am quite capable of teaching my kids about sex. What's more, it's my job. MY job. I don't mind if the facts of human reproduction are taught in a life sciences or biology class. Leave the rest to me.

B-49. Education on Peace and International Understanding. The National Education Association believes that educational strategies for teaching peace and justice issues should include the role of individuals, social movements, international and nongovernmental organizations. The Association also believes that educational materials should include activities dealing with the effects of nuclear weaponry and other weapons of mass destruction, strategies for disarmament, and methods to achieve peace

Fine. These are all great things to teach ... assuming they're taught in context, in, say, a history class. And assuming that the other sides of the stories will be taught too, in the interest of providing facts and alternative points of view, that will allow students to form their own conclusions ... thus preparing them to be tomorrow's thinking leaders. For instance, let's teach strategies of disarmament ... along with a discussion of the pros and cons of disarmament. Lets discuss methods to achieve peace ... and think about what our options are when those strategies fail. And since these are political stances, let's be sure to include alternate political stances ... just like we work so hard to include alternate sexuality, gender and race points of view on everything under the sun. It only follows logically, right?

At any rate, at what age are we teaching about disarmament and peace strategies? At what age, and with what background, are students equipped to have a thoughtful discussion about these topics? 'Cause before a certain age and/or maturity level, that capability is not there. The result is students who will internalize and parrot their teacher's view.

Oh.

Such materials should also cover major contributing factors to conflict, such as economic disparity, demographic variables, unequal political power and resource distribution, and the indebtedness of the developing world.

Make sure you have your copy of the required text Why Capitalism is Bad and What Kids Can Do About It.

And now for the nearest and dearest to my heart:

B-69. Home Schooling. The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state requirements. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used. The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.

Actually, this resolution isn't new; it's the same as they old one, but they took the word "unfunded" as the modifier for "home-schooled students" out of the last sentence.

This is another place where I just love their use of language. "When home-schooling occurs" ... as if it just spontaneously erupts ... "students ... must meet all state requirements." That's a state law issue, guys, and nothing, nothing, nothing to do with you. Students should be taught by appropriately licensed teachers. Yeah, you wish. And we'd better make it clear that if they don't play by our rules, we're going to take the toys away from them. Besides, if homeschoolers were allowed access to extracurricular activities, they might have a better chance of having a "comprehensive education experience" .

Okay, that's enough fun. The resolutions go on and on, though, including resolutions about universal health care, world peace, immigration, and all kinds of things that I didn't know were the province of teaching professionals. Live and learn. Ironically, I saw nothing about reading, writing, math, history (though lots of social studies, and "diversity"), or science (except for environmentalism).

Hey, maybe I'm being too hard on them. Maybe the NEA actually has the key to world peace and happiness. Maybe, if we just trust them and let them lead the way, we can build a nation where everyone is equal, and everyone is valued. Our children will all be cared for, and will learn to love everyone. We will develop a whole generation dedicated to peace, tolerance, diversity, balance and equality.

I don't know ... that sounds kind of familiar ... where I have heard it before?

Posted by Steph at September 10, 2003 11:18 AM