I object to most sweeping generalizations, this one included.
Here is a more objective opinion, from someone who has worked in the public school system in a liberal state for many years: Some teachers have a political agenda in their everyday lessons, but not a majority. Most teacher unions (like most unions of any sort) have a liberal political agenda.
That said, most teachers in public schools care very much for the academic welfare of their students, and spend their time educating kids from a vast array of backgrounds--good homes, bad homes, brilliant minds, learning disabilities...they don't have the option of refusing to educate troublemakers; don't have the ability to pick and choose students like private schools; and don't have the advantage of one-on-one teaching like homeschool homes.
From my vantage (not a teacher) I see a positive daily effort to instill knowledge and very little of the indoctrination that is so often touted by anti-public school groups.
Political indoctrination (like religious indoctrination--gasp!--) belongs at home, and parents and taxpayers are well within their rights to object to teachers who abuse their pulpits.
I just get a little tired of public school bashing at FR and elsewhere. The vast percentage of the time, public school teachers get the job done, despite the many obstacles.
The vast percentage of the time, public school teachers get the job done, despite the many obstacles.
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