Posted on 12/12/2009 4:43:12 PM PST by rhema
In this age of political correctness, a college student's best friend is FIRE -- the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Since 1999, FIRE has safeguarded the civil rights of students across the ideological spectrum -- winning victories at 121 colleges and universities, bringing an end to 81 unconstitutional or repressive policies, and benefiting 2.7 million students.
Now, FIRE is riding to the rescue of students at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where a heavy-handed attempt at thought control is underway.
The Race, Culture, Class and Gender Task Group of the U's College of Education and Human Development has recommended that race, class and gender politics become the "over-arching framework" of all teacher education courses. Under the group's proposed plan, future teachers would be required to pass an ideological litmus test -- denouncing "white privilege," "hegemonic masculinity" and "heteronormativity," and proving their determination to "fight" for "social justice."
In connection with this initiative, the College of Education intends to redesign its admissions process. It plans to use "predictive criteria" to weed out applicants whose beliefs are judged to render them incapable of developing acceptable levels of "cultural competence." A university document calls for warning this year's applicants about the possible changes.
Last month, FIRE fired off a legal warning shot to university President Robert Bruininks. "If the Race, Culture, Class, and Gender Task Group achieves its stated goals," its letter declared, "the result will be political and ideological screening of applicants, remedial re-education for those with the 'wrong' views and values, and withholding of degrees from those upon whom the university's political reeducation efforts proved ineffective."
FIRE's letter warns that the U's proposed actions are an unconstitutional invasion of students' First Amendment right to freedom of conscience and a "severe affront to liberty." The letter quotes the Supreme Court's
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Cheers!
Someone might tackle this from the public funding of tuition angle. The feds are constantly using that (despite the fact that the money is only loaned to the students) to meddle with schools admissions policies. I’m sure it would be an uphill battle with the commies in control, but it’s another tool in the box.
Yes, because actually educating students is so passe. At least the liberals are being honest that education isn't their goal, political indoctrination is. Now if they'd make sure it's prominately indicated in the school's identification so people can be sure to avoid sending their children to such an unfit "institution".
Actually, this could be fought at another level: local school boards could pass resolutions stating that if the plan is adopted they will not hire teachers graduating from the program. Even in liberal Minnesota, folks on local school boards might want teachers who were actually educated somewhat during their pursuit of teacher certification, rather than being fed politically correct post-modernist mush.
That’s a good idea.
I believe that no serious mainstream educational institution in the United States could allow this to happen. If it were possible, it would surely occur first in San Francisco; or Berkeley, California.
No taxpayer-funded institution has the power to give the entire state the finger in pursuit of the pervert agenda.
It just isn't going to happen.
It is very useful to learn, however about the existence of FIRE -- the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Since 1999, FIRE has safeguarded the civil rights of students across the ideological spectrum --I hope that they are a non-profit group, and that this publicity will prompt many people like myself to send contributions!
First the perverts whined they merely wanted "tolerance." Now they want to rule the world.
First the perverts whined they merely wanted “tolerance.” Now they want to rule the world.
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Minneapolis has been on a tangent to "out-Berkeley" Berkeley for a very long time. It's a liberal cesspool.
They're a worthwhile outfit. I've been contributing to them for years.
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