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Is it OK to be white? If you listen to the mainstream media, the answer is a resounding “no!” When the outspoken minority activists who dominate modern discourse look at us they do not see our faith, our profession, or our heritage. They only see that we are white, and summarily judge us as guilty for all the sins of humanity. How can the descendants of America’s founders maintain pride in their heritage?
Source: Is It OK To Be White? – Men Of The West
It was thought that interaction with China would lead to that nation becoming more capitalist. Instead, it seems the CCP has infiltrated many aspects of American society, including our mainstream media.
Years ago, experts told us that as China became more capitalistic, the power and influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would fade. China would become less authoritarian and more democratic.
Tempted by CCP enticements, an enormous market, and cheap labor, many U.S. manufacturers moved their operations to China, closing factories here in the States. We were entering, experts told us, the new era of globalism.
Soon the goods marked with the decal “Made in China” arrived in our retail stores at a staggering rate. Clothing, bedding, tableware, computer parts, and pharmaceuticals: these and many other items produced in China further undermined our domestic manufacturing base. Consumers welcomed cheap goods, and we were willing to overlook the source of those commodities.
Meanwhile, the CCP engaged in technological theft from the West, in particular from the United States. That same country opened Confucius Institutes in various American schools and universities, supposed centers for the study of the Chinese language and culture, but in reality all too often aggressive front organizations for expanding “soft” Chinese influence. In addition, thousands of Chinese students have come to study in our country, and we’ve have welcomed them, even here in Front Royal, Virginia, without putting restrictions on them or investigating the reasons why they came here. Once again, money won the game, in this case the tuition these students pay to their host schools.
But throughout all these exchanges, do we find evidence that China is becoming a democracy, that it is easing restrictions on its citizens?
Negative.
Back home, the CCP has continued to install more and more surveillance devices to keep a strict accounting of the activities of its citizens and has introduced a “social credit” system to decide which people are allowed to travel, to attend schools and universities, and even to work. According to an Amnesty International report titled “China 2019,” human rights issues in China “continued to be marked by a systematic crackdown on dissent.” This Amnesty International spotlight on the CCP government cites gross abuses in civil rights, religious persecutions of Muslims and Christians, assaults on the rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender people, and the suppression of the defenders of human rights.
Here let me interject a personal experience with these attacks. Two months ago, I wrote to a certain essayist of Chinese origin now living in the United States to ask if I might interview her for an article about a piece she’d written. Her agent responded to my email, telling me that as much as his client wanted to do the interview, she had relatives living in China who might as a consequence be subjected to intimidation and arrest if that interview appeared. Therefore, he wrote, she must decline my request.
What does this tell us about the nature of the Chinese Communist Party government?
Most readers of Intellectual Takeout are aware of these injustices, yet how many of us are cognizant of the fact that some of our major news media have become entangled with the CCP?
I wasn’t, and the news astounded me.
In “A Rundown of Major U.S. Corporate Media’s Business Ties To China,” writer Chrissy Clark reported way back in May that many of our mainstream news outlets have economic ties to the CCP. The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, Disney, and Bloomberg LP: all are heavily invested in China and “are bending over backwards to avoid negative press coverage of China during the coronavirus pandemic.”
With growing dismay, I finished Clark’s article and was left to wonder how any of us could ever again believe what the organizations she names had to say about China.
As Clark says at the end of her article – and she deserves a medal for writing such a piece – “Examining these financial ties may explain why China is receiving such glowing coverage during a pandemic of their own making.”
The CCP first reported coronavirus on December 31, 2019, in Wuhan, China. On that date, the Chinese zodiac calendar was still in the “Year of the Dog.”
Here in the West, we have the adage “If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.”
Isn’t it long past time that some of our American news outlets reevaluate their relationship with China?
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Source: Who’s In Bed With the CCP? M-E-D-I-A | Intellectual Takeout
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard about Black Friday, the event that gets consumers hyped up. Retailers have long started to prepare their seasonal discounts, delivering ease, value, and the joy of the shopping season. It’s expected that Black Friday deals will take place before Thanksgiving, so you’ll want to prepare ahead of time. A moment like this has fantastic advantages for consumers. This year, you might want to ditch the shopping cart and go online. Don’t wait in line at brick-and-mortar stores. Shopping online this Black Friday might be better overall.
E-commerce is slowly but surely taking over brick and mortar stores, bringing about lower prices and convenience. More and more consumers are turning to their smartphones to check the wide range of products available rather than paying a visit to the actual store. Retail stores, on the other hand, are expanding via the online hub instead of opening new facilities. Shopping online is better, especially if you want to get your hands on the hottest products around. Don’t even think about leaving home this Black Friday. This is why.
It’s recommended to not spend too much time in physical stores given the current health crisis. If you need more than a couple of items, get them from the Internet. There’s still a chance of getting infected. Just think about it. You’ll be waiting outside for hours together with countless people. You can’t take safety precautions given these conditions. Even if you wear a mask, it’s still necessary to respect social distancing guidelines. Most importantly, you’ll be out in the cold weather. COVID-19 is worse in cold weather. According to the experts, the low temperature and humidity impact the severity of the symptoms.
Despite the many efforts to enhance physical retail shopping carts, checkout remains difficult. Even when they succeed in finalizing the purchase, they are left with the feeling that something isn’t right. This is precisely why many prefer shopping online. Not only is it simple, but also highly secure. You don’t have to deal with large crowds or checkout headaches. You simply navigate through the deals, choose what you like, and place the order. It’s so simple that even a child could do it.
If you do your Black Friday shopping online, you can make price comparisons on the brand’s site. What if you don’t have a specific product in mind? Well, in this case, you can go through the various categories of the site until you find something that tickles your fancy. The reason why price comparison is so important is that it helps you secure great deals. You shouldn’t be paying more for the same product.
If you want to make the most of your Black Friday shopping this year, plan your purchases ahead of time. It will prevent you from buying things that you don’t need. Once you recognize the need for having a plan, don’t waste any more time and start working on one. Sign up for the newsletters of your favorite retailers. This way, you’ll know if there’s something to get excited about. Know your budget and, most importantly, know your needs. Shopping on impulse is a big mistake. It can lead to numerous mistakes, not to mention that you’ll spend more money than you can afford.
Black Friday will undoubtedly continue last year’s trend and offer discounts on everything you could want. On top of getting much-needed items at discounted prices, you enjoy free shipping. Sites generally offer free shipping during big sales to attract customers. So, you can put as many items in the shopping cart as you like. If you’re buying a new washing machine, free shipping comes in handy as you don’t struggle with transportation. Some retailers will offer free shipping no matter the order. This means that you don’t have to buy the entire store to get the products shipped to your home for free.
Retailers will be rolling out deals for everything from electronics to instant pots. You should pick up a thing or two this year. As mentioned earlier, if you want to make the most out of your Black Friday shopping, don’t be caught without a plan. To determine just how good the deals are, keep an eye on prices beginning with the weeks leading up to the grandiose event. Monitor those online specials attentively. Here are other tips to keep in mind when shopping on Black Friday:
Last but not least, have fun shopping. Black Friday is only once a year.
Before you press “spin”, check out these 10 best online slots tips if you want to maximise your experience and winnings!
Keep your eyes peeled on progressive jackpots as unlike the majority of slot machines without a progressive jackpot, the odds are ever-changing depending on the size of the jackpot, which gradually builds until it is won.
It’s important to understand that different slot games payout in various different ways and to find this out you will need to examine the pay tables. Some offer smaller wins while other slots offer huge prizes with or without a progressive jackpot and the only way you will find this out is if you take a look and compare the paytables of the slot games you want to play.
Unsure how to do this? The paytable is your best tool when it comes to checking not just the game’s RTP and bonuses but also how easy it will be to land winning combinations. Check how many symbols a slot game has and generally the more symbols there are the harder it could be to land winning combinations.
Slots can have 10, 20, or even up to 50 paylines, meaning players could have dozens of ways to win on each spin. There are even new slots which offer “243 Ways to Win” where players can bet one low amount to cover every winning combination which maximizes player’s chances of winning.
Losing streaks happen to every single slot player and the nature of gambling means you’re most likely to lose than win, but don’t let it get you down or get in the way of you having fun! If you’re finding playing slots is more frustrating than fun, take a break and remember it’s only a game!
If you want to be eligible for the largest jackpot you will need to bet the maximum but make sure you read the rules of each jackpot slot before playing as they are not all the same!
Take a “try before you buy” attitude to slot games and play the demo or free play version of the game before you place real-money bets. This will give you the chance to check out the games feature and to see if you enjoy the game before you part with your hard-earned cash.
That jackpot could be just one spin away and that’s what players love about slots, your luck could be just around the corner and the anticipation of winning is half of the fun of playing slots. But if you’re not enjoying playing, take a break from slots!
To give your bankroll a helping hand, give it a boost with sign-up and loyalty bonuses on offer which may help you to win prizes and jackpots beyond your wildest dreams!
Variety is the spice of life, so if your go-to slot isn’t working for you or you’re finding it a little repetitive, don’t be afraid to check out other slots – there are plenty to choose from!
Are you getting ready to take the CPA exam and finally become a certified public accountant? You probably already know you can expect the exam to be the most intense 16 hours of your life. After all, less than half of all people pass the exam on the first try. However, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.
If you want to pass your CPA exam on the first try, you need to be prepared.
1. Understand the details of each exam section
Part of being prepared for your CPA exam is knowing what to expect. However, a general understanding isn’t enough. You need to know exactly what’s involved for each of the four sections of the test.
For example, each test contains five individual testlets, and in all four sections of the test, the first two testlets are multiple choice questions and the next two are task-based simulations. The AUD, FAR, and REG sections contain more task-based simulations on the last testlet and the BEC section contains more written communication tasks.
Read the CPA exam guide from Wiley CPA for a thorough, detailed explanation of what each of the four sections cover and how each test section is scored.
2. Take a CPA exam prep course
If you don’t take a CPA exam prep course, you won’t be prepared enough to pass your exam. Prep courses offer benefits you won’t get from studying material printed in books. For example, you’ll get personalized tests and instructions as well as practice tests that will help you get the hard questions correct.
3. Verify that you meet your state’s education requirements
Don’t wait to verify you meet your state’s requirements for education. Undergo an education requirement review as soon as possible. You’re not fully prepared to take the exam unless you know with absolute certainty that you are qualified to sit for the exam.
For example, if you have two Ivy League degrees, an Ivy MBA, and experience working for two huge NYC investment banks, you might not meet the education requirements. That’s what someone from another71.com found out the hard way. The person in question was required to take 3.5 more courses to qualify.
Even when it seems like you’ve met all the course requirement hours, the board can review your courses and shave off hours they don’t feel qualify. You’ll have to spend more time taking those extra courses before you can take the test. The longer you wait to find out if your education qualifies, the longer you’ll have to wait to take your exam if you need more hours.
4. Create a methodical study routine
Studying for the CPA exam should be serious business. While it’s okay to study between other tasks, you should ultimately aim to create time to study on a regular basis. If you can manage to study every day, that’s even better.
Studying on a regular schedule keeps you focused on the subject matter you need to learn. The saying, “out of sight, out of mind” is true. Don’t let your exam material slip away from your attention. You have eighteen months to complete all four sections, but that time will fly by faster than you know.
5. Make it your goal to become an expert
Adopting the mindset of becoming an expert is a great way to boost your preparedness for the CPA exam. If you’re simply studying material to pass a test, you’ll probably use mental methods to memorize information rather than to understand concepts fully.
Approaching your studies as if you’re on a mission to become an expert will change your whole game. If you’re on a mission to achieve expert status, you’ll have a burning desire to know everything. If a small detail pops up that you’re unfamiliar with, you’ll look further into the subject rather than ignoring it because it’s not a question on the test.
6. Remember that passing the exam isn’t the end goal
You need to pass the exam to get your certification, but that’s not the end goal. The end goal is to turn your license into a profitable career. You’ll create a profitable career by thoroughly learning the material you study. Passing the exam won’t be worth much if all you did was cram information into your head without understanding how to apply that information to the real world.
Use all the resources you can get
Last but not least, use all the resources you can find. The CPA exam is considered one of the toughest tests on the planet; you can’t be too prepared.
The UFT’s arbitration triumph was also,as usual, a victory for the rule of law.
An independent arbitrator ruled last week that the City cannot renege on its legal obligation, negotiated almost a dozen years ago, to pay teachers retroactive money that they are owed.
The City had argued that its pandemic-triggered financial straits precluded its ability to make good on this particular debt and this burden should override its commitment to do so.
The teachers union, extraordinarily patient, would not, however, allow this issue to be dragged out even longer and instantly went to arbitration, where a favorable decision was rendered around a day later.
The merits of the case were perfectly clear: they practically screamed off the page on which they were delineated.
Better late than never. Better immediate satisfaction than protracted process. But best of all, would have been the City not insulting teachers in the first place.
Had the arbitrator upheld the City, it would not only have been a judicial travesty in this case, but would have given the City the green light in the future to chance citing it as precedent-setting.
Unique among city employees, our public school teachers have a history of bailing out the city from its economic woes. Even risking dissension within their ranks, they have shown and acted on the courage to see “the big picture”.
But time and again the City has bit the hand that fed them. Teachers have played fair but refuse to be played.
To scare the union out of pursuing justice for its members, the DOE threatened to immediately lay off thousand of teachers at a time when they have already acknowledged a worsening teacher shortage. The engine of every school is fueled by its staff and institutions of learning, like cars, don’t run on empty, no matter how you try to cajole them into doing so.
With reality staring them in the face, the City blinked by conceding that there are to be no layoffs this school year after all.
It’s regrettable that the City had to be forced into compliance. Their initial refusal may not have been driven by maliciousness, but certainly it contained an element of disrespect.
And it was reckless.
Ron Isaac
By Annie Holmquist –Everyone knows that COVID has disrupted the education system like nothing else in recent memory. But as time goes on it appears that this may only be the tip of the iceberg.
A recent MPR news report suggests that for Minnesota public schools, declining enrollment is worse than was ever imagined several months ago. Citing a newly released survey from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, MPR declares that worries over COVID and dissatisfaction with learning options are driving parents to homeschooling, private schools, and early college enrollment options.
Just how bad are the numbers? Let’s look at Minneapolis Public Schools as an example.
Although not sporting the worst drop on this survey, Minneapolis Public Schools have experienced an almost 3 percent decline in enrollment. Kindergarten enrollment has especially taken a hit, declining 16 percent since the budget projections were made.
Considering these drops, it’s interesting to look at the budget numbers for Minneapolis Public Schools, where the 2020 forecast lists total expenditures of $870,078,422. When divided by enrollment projections for the 2020-21 school year (33,561 students), the total comes to $25,925. That means Minneapolis Public Schools spend nearly $26,000 to educate one student in their system for just one year. Projected numbers for the 2021-22 school year exceed $26,500 per year.
That’s a hefty price tag! Since it’s often argued that additional spending for public schools will boost learning outcomes and student proficiencies, one would think Minneapolis Public Schools must be churning out some stellar, well-equipped students.
Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The Minnesota Department of Education reports that in 2019, 43 percent of Minneapolis students met standards in math, 50 percent met standards in reading, and only 37 percent met standards in science.
Those are pretty abysmal numbers – especially since they come with a price tag comparable to some the state’s elitist, top-of-the-line private schools, which have tuition rates three to five times higher than smaller, parochial private schools.
Much of the declining enrollment seems to come from parents pulling their children out of the public school system and trying homeschooling instead. Can homeschool parents get better academic results than the ones above? Maybe not in every case, but in most cases it’s quite likely. As John Taylor Gatto notes in Dumbing Us Down, homeschooled children have been found “to be five or even ten years ahead of their formally trained peers” when it comes to their thinking ability.
Why is that? Common sense suggests several reasons, one being that homeschooled kids have a small student to teacher ratio, and therefore are less likely to be lost in the shuffle. Care, understanding, and interaction from a loving parent acting as teacher also makes a difference.
But let’s put academics aside for a moment and focus on funding. If Minneapolis public schools are spending nearly $26,000 of taxpayer money per student, but some parents are taking the responsibility of educating their offspring on to themselves, then shouldn’t those parents get a portion of that money for their respective students?
What kind of education could parents give their child if they were given $26,000 for homeschooling purposes? How about even just $10,000? Books and curriculum really don’t cost all that much. Doing so would save taxpayers money, while providing ample funds for parents to educate their children themselves, or even pool their funds with other neighborhood parents to hire shared tutors.
As these budget numbers, enrollment levels, and academic results show, taxpayers have been pouring vast sums of money into education for years and getting little return on their investments. Because of COVID, the system is experiencing a forced shakeup. Instead of maintaining the status quo, is it time we looked for other ways to educate our children – ways in which they may even learn more for less money?
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Source: Minneapolis Public Schools Spend $26K Per Student Annually | Intellectual Takeout
NEWLETTER FROM DR. STAN JACK – 8.20.20
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COVID IN PERSPECTIVE:
A recent study looking at data from 14 countries and 13 locations in the United States that were “hotbeds” of COVID-19 found the following:
“For the whole COVID-19 fatality season to-date… the average daily risk of dying from coronavirus for a person <65 years old is equivalent to the risk of dying driving a distance of 4–82 miles by car per day [in] 18 of the 27 hotbeds and 106–483 miles per day in the other 9 hotbeds… For many hotbeds, the risk of death is in the same level roughly as dying from a car accident during daily commute…”
“The vast majority of COVID-19 victims are elderly people and in all European countries analyzed as well as Canada and most US locations, more than half and up to three quarters are at least 80 years old. The median age of death for COVID-19 tends to be similar or slightly smaller than the life expectancy of the population in each respective location…”
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25% of Repton School Dubai pupils have scored over 40 points in their 2020 IB Diplomas.
Repton School Dubai, the partner school of Derbyshire’s Repton, is celebrating record-breaking results that this year’s pupils have achieved in their International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Around a quarter of Repton School Dubai pupils achieved over 40 points in the rigorous, interdisciplinary exams, a huge achievement. Meanwhile, 43% of pupils achieved at least 36 points, a credit to the school’s endeavours to help every pupil to excel.
Repton and their Dubai partner school make every effort to ensure that all pupils receive the support that they need to achieve their best. As part of this promise, Repton School Dubai enters every pupil into either the IBDP (diploma programme) or IBCP (career programme), both of which aim to develop pupils’ knowledge academically, emotionally, and ethically. Thanks to Repton School Dubai pupils’ impressive 2020 results, they have secured highly sought-after places at prestigious universities, where they will study a range of fields around the world.
‘We are extremely proud to announce that our IB pupils passed their IB examinations with record results,’ says David Cook, Headmaster of Repton School Dubai. ‘Pupils who took the IBDP examinations scored an average of 34.4 points, well above the global average of 30 points and bettering last year’s average DP score, demonstrating that Repton can reach a world class of 23% of pupils attaining 40 points or more (compared to the most recent global average of 13.82%). I would like to commend our pupils for their hard work and commitment, which has come to fruition as evidenced by their stellar performance this year.’
The IBDP is recognised as a significant qualification around the world. Open to pupils aged 16–19, the programme combines wide-spanning areas of study, including theory of knowledge, creative practices, activity-driven learning, service tasks, and an extended essay. The diploma encourages pupils to think independently and drive their own learning, become more culturally aware as they study a second language, and engage with others effectively in our ever-changing world. This year, Repton School Dubai pupils averaged 1.74 IBDP core points, a huge success compared to the global average of 1 point.
In addition to excellent IBDP results, Repton School Dubai’s IBCP and BTEC pupils have achieved fantastic results and secured promising further study opportunities as a result. For example, while Marcus Dutton has been awarded a golf scholarship in America, Aman Thakkar has been offered a place at the University of Birmingham to study Business Management. The IB qualification is designed to develop pupils’ personal and academic achievements, challenging them to develop their studies, creative practices, sports, and community service offerings.
Repton School Dubai integrates BTEC programmes with IBCP subjects to create bespoke programmes that support the DP subject qualifications, which are equivalent to A Levels. IBCP pupils graduate from the careers programme having also completed a Level 3 BTEC Diploma within the IBCP.
100% of Emirati pupils who completed their examinations this year have successfully earned their IBDP or IBCP certificate, meeting the region’s aim of prioritising education for young generations. Repton School Dubai has achieved higher year-on-year average results since they started offering the IB programme in 2011.
‘We embrace the IB programme because it remains our aim to develop well-rounded pupils who possess the attributes and skills required to meet the challenges of tomorrow,’ says Mr Cook.
Amongst Repton School Dubai’s prefects, Head Girl Jeanne Semple achieved 44 points, marking a new record for the school. Fewer than 1% of pupils worldwide achieve this score. Jeanne has accepted a place at the London School of Economics to study Law. Meanwhile, Head Boy Abdulla Al Shirawi has accepted a place at the acclaimed Stanford University to study Physics. Deputy Head Boy Christian Holland achieved an impressive 42 points and will study German and Arabic at St Andrews, and Deputy Head Girl Michelle Elliot has accepted a highly coveted place at Cardiff University, where she will study Biomedical Science.
‘We would like to congratulate the parents and the teaching staff for working together and investing significant time and energy to support our pupils, ensuring that they excel and strive towards outstanding results, preparing them for a strong academic future,’ says Mr Cook. ‘The IB programme is recognised for its high standards and robust calibre by leading universities across the world, and that is an important consideration for Repton School Dubai, which accommodates such a diverse array of nationalities.’
Repton School Dubai is renowned for offering world-class education to children of all nationalities from ages 3–18. Since opening in 2007, the school quickly became one of the leading schools in the GCC, with pupils typically achieving grades that equal AAAA A Levels. Repton School Dubai also consistently achieves ‘Outstanding’ ratings from KHDA inspections.
Pupils can join one of Repton Dubai’s two boarding houses at age 11 on full-term or flexible weekly boarding conditions. As the largest school in the region, the junior and senior schools are nestled in the remarkable 1.3 million sq. ft. campus, which is based in Nad Al Sheba 3.
The school is part of Evolvence Knowledge Investments (EKI), which establishes private schools that offer a wide variety of curricula subjects in the GCC region, capitalising on the huge demand for quality, internationally recognised qualifications. When preparing for their examinations, pupils can select subjects from the school’s extensive IGCSE curriculum. Pupils can then pursue the IBDP and IBCP, combined with a choice of 45 subjects to hone their knowledge of specific academic fields that interest them most.
Repton School Dubai is part of the Repton family of schools. With all the reputation and academic rigour of its UK counterpart (Repton School), Repton School Dubai works to ensure that every pupil leaves school not only with a series of impressive academic achievements but also with the core values and character traits that will help them to thrive as courageous yet compassionate people who make a difference to the world around them. Recent alumni study at world-class universities, including the University of Oxford, University College London, Kings College London, and the University of California.
For more information about Repton School Dubai, visit https://www.reptondubai.org.
Today’s public school teachers act as if they have something to hide. Do they not want parents to know what they are actually teaching children?
The sign of a good music teacher, I was told as a teenager, is a willingness to allow parents to sit in on lessons. A teacher willing to have parents observe their lessons demonstrates that she has nothing to hide, is open to critique or comments, and is one who partners with parents in helping students succeed. Having witnessed this policy firsthand with my own piano instructor, a woman whose students won competitions and entered world famous music schools, I followed suit when I began teaching myself.
It paid off. Not only did this policy allow parents to see that I was open and honest with them in my dealings with their children, it also helped me as the teacher – particularly on one memorable occasion when a parent saw the temper tantrum her daughter unwisely decided to exhibit during her lesson.
I thought of this policy upon hearing some of the repercussions of virtual school classes. Many school districts are jumping into a second round of distance learning as the fall semester begins, but one that feels more official and buttoned down. Yet in the midst of this more orderly attempt at virtual schooling, an interesting picture is emerging, a picture which shows that teachers don’t want parents involved. Fox News recently reported the following:
A Tennessee school district is under fire for asking parents to sign a form agreeing not to eavesdrop on kids’ virtual classes over concerns they could overhear confidential information.
After significant pushback, Rutherford County Schools is allowing parents to tune in with permission from the teacher but they can’t record the classes.
Sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it?
Before the classroom came into the living room, it was difficult for parents to get a good grasp on what was in their children’s curriculum. If they became nosy investigators, they were often given the runaround through layers of school administration, a difficult process that would make any busy parent throw up their hands in disgust. Yet now when parents have a front row seat to what their child is learning, and are still given the cold shoulder of secrecy, it’s no surprise that parents are saying, “Wait a minute. Why can’t we know what someone else is teaching our child? Is there something they don’t want us to hear?”
Perhaps so. At least that seems to be the message of one teacher’s musings posted on Twitter several weeks ago and pictured below.
Many of us find such admissions alarming. How is it that we’ve sent our children to public schools for years, believing they would become educated, upstanding American citizens, only now to discover that they were simply being indoctrinated with ideas that these teachers seem to know many parents wouldn’t approve of?
Unfortunately, such a response could have been avoided had Americans heeded H.L. Mencken’s warning about the nation’s public schools nearly 100 years ago. There is an “erroneous assumption” when it comes to America’s education system, says Mencken:
That erroneous assumption is to the effect that the aim of public education is to fill the young of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence, and so make them fit to discharge the duties of citizenship in an enlightened and independent manner. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What then is the goal of public education? Mencken explains:
The aim of public education is not to spread enlightenment at all; it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. That is its aim in the United States, whatever the pretensions of politicians, pedagogues and other such mountebanks, and that is its aim everywhere else.
Mencken goes on to say that the purpose of public schools is visible in countries which had them long before America, one of which was Prussia. Prussian schools, upon which the modern American school is modeled, had “the quite different aim of putting down political and economic heresy. Their purpose,” Mencken continues, “is to make docile and patriotic citizens, to pile up majorities, to make John Doe and Richard Doe as nearly alike, in their everyday reactions and ways of thinking, as possible.”
And there we are. The picture of American schools that has crystalized since the pandemic brought public education home – even when teachers don’t want us to see that true picture – was predicted nearly a century before.
The funny thing is, Mencken wrote these words while reviewing a book by Upton Sinclair on America’s schools. Although a prominent democratic socialist, Sinclair appears to have been aghast at the “organized stupidity” in the public schools.
Like Sinclair, we too can be aghast at such a situation. But if we want our children to grow up as free thinkers who don’t fit the cookie-cutter mold, then we must do more than express shock and outrage at such a situation.
Are we prepared to place our children under the care and instruction of those who truly want them to learn and grow, rather than simply parrot politically correct mantras, even if it means we must make sacrifices and teach them ourselves?
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Source: How to Recognize a Bad Teacher | Intellectual Takeout
