We can expect students to moan about standardized tests, but it´s revealing when administrators and teachers do the same.

All that objective measuring of learning stuff blocks the nonstop flow of PC effluvium.

They learn the evils of western ideals, but can´t use a ruler or tape measure. As for teaching to the test, the next time you fly try to pick a pilot who was NOT taught to the test.

Wish it did block it, #1. Taking back local control of schools and curriculum is the first step in breaking the propaganda cycle. The next is to send all the libtard professors and administrators/staff to the unemployment line.

Hardly, #1. Standardized tests typically have paragraphs or short essays. The student is expected to answer questions about them. The subject matter is often very politically correct.

Go ask any 4th grader what causes ´global warming´. Then ask the same child what causes the seasons. I´m guessing you will get a much longer answer on the first than on the second. It will show you what they have been taught.

If America is going to survive, it will only be because we have purged ourselves of the influence of John Dewey. He was a prime instigator of everything that has brought this country to it´s knees; public education, The (Communist infested) New School, the ACLU, the (Communist infested) U. of Chicago social sciences, the media as propagandists rather than reporters. Bad. Bad. Bad. And very few people know a thing about him.

Yesterday, the little woman and I stopped in for a late afternoon snack at our local Chick-fil-A. It´s near two private and exclusive schools known for their high academic standards. They are also located in the most conservative part of our city.

As we were leaving, we walked out behind two girls who were old enough to drive and one girl said this to the other, and this is an exact quote: "I don´t care who they give their money to, they make great chicken".

The Chick-fil-A controversy was, of course, not about who they give money to but was about their support of traditional marriage, like the one I have with the little woman. That aside, we wondered if her views were influenced by the "teachers" at the exclusive school she attends. My guess is yes because I doubt most of the students ever even discussed the issue among themselves.

Keep on pointing out the obvious, Dr. Sowell. I know you are right because I just saw it in a real life situation. The little woman agrees.

OK - try getting you local school to disengage from the DOE and the Feds. You cannot do it. the most we can do is write polite little letter that will be ignored.

This is exactly why I am writing an historical fiction series for kids to teach them our real history. Check out "The Fighting Hawks at D-Day" on Amazon!

It´s the parents fault.

Bingo.

Journalism and education majors attract people who want to make a difference - to be agents of change.

They also form a population with the lowest mean GRE(Gradute Record Examination) scores of all. Or used to, some years back. I wouldn´t be surprised if the various "Studies" programs -black, women´s, queer, Latino etc.- were even worse.

It doesn´t help things that those in positions of influence who are determined to be agents of change and to make a difference are not, on the whole, terribly bright.

But the real question, the question for which I have no answer, is: how do they get away with it? Why do Americans let them do it? LET them do it? No, PAY them to do it. And pay them well, hand them sinecures, tenured lifetime appointments, and all sorts of perks and privileges.

There is plenty of grumbling, of course. But grumbling doesn´t matter as long as people continue to go along with and support such self-destructive policies.

What is going on here? I remember an essay by Malcom Muggeridge titled "The Great Liberal Death Wish." I have forgotten what the essay itself says, though it made sense at the time. The title is perhaps the clue.

Neal Boortz shows better than I how bad the schools are:
This one came from Harcourt Brace School Publishers. The title of the page was “Rights & Wrongs.” This workbook page purports to teach a lesson about The Bill of Rights.
In the lead paragraph you will read “These first ten amendments to the Constitution state simply and clearly citizens rights that the government cannot take away.” So far so good! Harcourt Brace got that much right. The Bill of Rights does, indeed, set forth the people’s rights, not government rights. But then you get to the Second Amendment. Uh oh. That’s the one that says protects our right to keep and bear arms. Here’s how that particular entry reads:
“The Second Amendment - says that states may enlist citizens for a trained militia [army] and provide and train them with weapons.”
Really? Is the word “enlist” in the Second Amendment? How about the words “provide” or “train?” You know what this is all about --- once again this is the leftist Democrats and liberals who run our government schools using the classroom to indoctrinate, not educate. This lesson for your child was designed to make sure that no child could possibly come away from class that day thinking that the Second Amendment guarantees anyone’s right to keep and bear arms.
The most widespread form of child abuse in America is the act of sending your precious child off to the government to be educated by government agents in government institutions.

Since I have been substitute teaching these past two years, I have been rather shocked that teachers don´t seem to be using textbooks on a frequent basis. I see the books sitting on tables in the classroom or in the teacher´s cabinets and closets, but the lessons are generally on printouts.

Also shocking to me is the number of huge copiers I see in school offices and throughout the building, which can collate and staple packets. I am amazed by how sophisticated these machines are now with their touch screens and other gizmos.

Because I see so much copying to produce handout packets, I have come to the conclusion that teachers are teaching to the tests for "No Child Left Behind". It is rare that the teacher leaves plans for reading from the text book. What a monumental waste of taxpayer dollars if they aren´t going to use the books! However, I have to admit that I might not use the text books either, if they omit important information or are biased in their presentation. Without studying the textbooks to check for bias, I am withholding judgement.

Today´s educational system goes against all my moral and ethical values, yet with tenure, it provides me with a steady income until such time as my subject matter is deemed expendable--and it is probably one of the most expendable areas in any university because of its enormous costs and irrelevance in today´s society. Every day I give thanks that this subject matter usually doesn´t touch on anything having to do with today´s society. With a doctorate, though, I am overqualified for any other low-paying job! A hopeless situation.