Report says schools are unfair to America

[Tony]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/09/09/schools.democracy.ap/index.html


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's schools are telling an unbalanced story of their own country, offering students plenty about America's failings but not enough about its values and freedoms, says a report drawing support across the ideological spectrum.

[Yahweh]

Whatever...

I think the article is taking a tiny tiny situation and turning it into a trajedy.

I dont find it necessary to glorify America, most of the kids are already innately patriotic and wont think too much about it anyway.

From the article:
Without a change of approach, schools will continue to turn out large numbers of students who are disengaged in society and unappreciative of democracy, the report contends.
How many people went to highschool? Probably everyone on this board. How many kids do you remember who described themselves as "anarchists"? Yeah, I see them all the time, they dont understand what anarchy is and furthermore its just a shock value thing.

[DavidJames]

How can we learn from out mistakes unless we know what they are.

Typical conservative PC police thinking ;)

[Nyarlathotep]

This is a subject that rears it's ugly head every couple of years, especially in regards to teaching of History (since that subject is one of the easiest to turn into a propaganda-fest). I have a shocking proposal: Why don't we just teach the kids the facts about history and let them come to their own conclusions as to whether America is the greatest country that has ever graced this Earth or a stinking hellhole. One of the best things that can be learned from the study of history is how to draw a conclusion from facts and then defend that conclusion. If you spoonfeed the kids a pre-made conclusion you deprive them of one of the biggest rewards of learning history, in my opinion.

I know, allowing independant thought in schools is a dangerous and subversive idea and is likely to infuriate both the right and the left. But it's so crazy that it just might work

[gnome]

My early grade school learning included the typical glorification and distortion of America's history. After a bold junior high teacher set the record straight on some issues, I discovered something important: I loved America more for knowing the truth... I would rather love my country for what it is, than revere a false history.

I don't believe we should teach that America is evil... nor that we are good no matter what we do. Our choices define our past--some good, some bad. And they will also define our future.

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
--Ben Franklin

[kittynh]

Trust me, truth is good

Balanced truth better

I remember loving college because the teeachers taught you the REAL deal. Spartans, now they left out some important info in high school there....

Like Vietnam, much to admire, but what happened to all that drive and determination after the war? Why didnt it turn into ecconomic prosperity? No, it wasnt US embargo (silly) Then you get to see why and what works for the US and Europe. You learn a lot through travel too. Kids should travel. Compare Canada and Mexico, with your own eyes.

[Prospero]

I don't know why the even bother teaching history in high school. It's either propaganda or mud. I've never been particularly engaged by either and find that article to be about as useful as that article from a year or two ago stating that high school students are dsimally educated when it comes to history. Being a scientist, I always found history to be a waste of time when there were chemistry and biology classes to be taken. However, I still feel that, despite my maneuvering to avoid the subject at all costs, I have a fairly complete picture of the world and the path it's taken to achieve its current position.

As for students not being appreciative of democracy and the freedoms which can be so easily taken for granted, I think it obvious that a Current World Affairs class would do quick justice to the liberties we hold so dear. Let students get a real glimpse of what it's like to live in a country being eaten by the inside out by AIDS, but do to pride that is ingrained into the national psyche won't allow the actual statistics to be made known or allow outsiders to help in one of the world's worst pandemics. A quick study of China's past to present represents an excellent contrast to the US's way of living. And, as terribly un-PC as it may sound, take also any theocratic Middle Eastern country as a perfect example of why the US's respect for the individual's beliefs is something to cherish. Nevermind Bush's contrary efforts. Even with his Christian ideology, the US is set up in a way so that even the most powerful of politicians can't steal a woman's right to choose, for example. Then again, my desire to seek knowledge as opposed to have it pushed on me probably made a difference.

[Zep]

Your last, paragraph, Prospero, is what education is all about. History is one of those subjects that should never be presented PC - anyone who starts looking into over and behind such a smokescreen very soon realises that the facts are a lot different to the "facts".

Yes, kittynh, I think young people SHOULD travel to other countries while they can. See the world, be in the world, not just read about it. Speaking of which, is it true that the current vice-president of the USA had never travelled abroad until after he was elected to that position??? Never held a passport?? :eek:

[kittynh]

I'm sure it's true Zep! You Australians get around though! I think New Zealand wins as having the most travelled young people! Travel is expensive though, and many people are lucky if they get to Canada or Mexico in their life times. But, anyone with some money should travel.

[Zep]

Originally posted by kittynh
I think New Zealand wins as having the most travelled young people!They all go to Australia...Bondi is the second largest "New Zealand" city after Auckland. True!