California Teachers finding fine line between advocacy, education

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 3-9-03 | By Jessica Portner

[Oldeconomybuyer]

If bombs begin to drop over Baghdad, Nancy Galindo is likely to be dissecting the day's political punditry, teaching about military drafts, and urging students at East San Jose's Yerba Buena High School to rally for or against the war. Teachers at a school near Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield may have students watch pro-interventionist speeches and read letters from soldiers about the horrors of the Vietnam War. Other teachers in the greater Bay Area plan to stick to punctuation drills and geometry problems, mindful that war talk may rattle students' nerves.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The left has taken over our public schools.

[The Toad]

The second these "teachers" start pushing their views on these "young minds full of mush" is the moment indoctrination begins. Teachers have a responsibility to be neutral--why has that been forgotton? Part of growing up is developing your own opinions on things....

[Kuksool]

The double standard is clear. If a conservative christian mentions Jesus, he/she is fired. Whereas, a left wing teacher promoting partisan views on the upcoming war with Iraq, is regarded as educational enrichment.

[Kuksool]

Moral Values in Public School Ping

[cgbg]

When the children have mastered U.S. history including an ability to recite the names of all Presidents and several issues from each administration--then and only then should they be asked to open their mouths on current events.

Children should be taught to make intelligent comments, not to babble stupidly about their "feelings".

And yes, teacher should lead by example.

[IronJack]

Nancy Galindo is likely to be dissecting the day's political punditry, teaching about military drafts, and urging students at East San Jose's Yerba Buena High School to rally for or against the war.

Maybe Nancy ought to be doing her job instead.

Other teachers in the greater Bay Area plan to stick to punctuation drills and geometry problems, mindful that war talk may rattle students' nerves.

How about because "war talk" is basically anti-war advocacy, and beyond the domain of the teacher? If the kids want to talk about it, and the teacher can maintain a sense of balance, then I don't see why it should be a verboten topic. But deciding foreign policy is hardly the purview of the public schools.

Some teachers in the region -- and around the nation -- are complaining that their free-speech rights are being trampled by administrators' directives to soften anti-war rhetoric.

They weren't complaining when administrators directed them to promote homosexuality, or to keep their mouths shut about abstinence and personal sexual responsibility. Apparently their umbrage is highly selective.

[Kuksool]

- Some teachers in the region -- and around the nation -- are complaining that their free-speech rights are being trampled by administrators' directives to soften anti-war rhetoric -

These so-called "pro-peace" teachers would never support the free speech rights of conservative teachers & students.

[McDuckles]

I teach history in a public school in Los Angeles, and the anti-war rhetoric of some of the teachers is nauseating. However, there is a group of us who support our president and the war, if it comes. I'm very upset about the brainwashing of our students that goes on in the name of education. Students come into my room spouting the old "No war for oil" mantra, and I ask them to explain what they mean. They haven't a clue. I told my class that anyone who walked out during last Wednesday's protest would get an "F" unless they could explain what exactly they were protesting. Most of the class agreed with me when I said the kids who walked out were kids who just wanted to leave school --- that they would have walked out to protest ANYTHING--- bad cafeteria food, poorly dressed teachers, having to do homework.

[Dataman]

Why are public schools allowed to use taxpayer money to promote leftist values anyway? I don't remember "protesting 101" being part of my ps. education.

In Orwell's 1984 some words were redefined to mean the opposite. Public school education has almost reached that point.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I teach history in a public school in Los Angeles...

I salute you.

[John123]

In Milpitas, teachers at Russell Middle School will lead students in their daily pacifist pledge as part of the school's overall peace mission -- an educational theme adopted to foster problem-solving through cooperation rather than conflict.

Yep, 12 years is not long enough and the Roman Empire fell because everyone tried to appease the barbarians.

GOOD PLAN!

[KC_Conspirator]

Platshorn was reprimanded for distributing a pamphlet in teachers' mailboxes announcing an anti-war rally and 10 reasons to oppose the war.

This is not a "fine line". I would be reprimanded at my job if I did this sort of thing. The government skools are run by uber leftists bent on shoving their propaganda down your kid's throat. Baldur von Schirach would be proud of the teachings of the American left.

[MAKnight]

Most districts, however, bar teachers from indoctrinating students toward a particular political view, while simultaneously expecting them to create compelling assignments about complex topics.

Is it just me ... or do you find it strange that the writer obviously thinks that not indoctrinating students and expecting them to "create compelling assignments about complex topics" are somehow mutually exclusive?

[I_Love_My_Husband]

I'm telling you, the left is in our schools right now and preaching anti-Americanism. In SF they are doing it every single day.

They should be arrested for treason as far as I'm concerned since we're just about to embark in a war.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

A lot of people give up their free speech rights at work. You often keep your mouth shut at work about your true thoughts because it isn't compatible with company business or policy. The solution to this for anyone, including teachers, is to quit and start their own businesses. Sheesh, teachers are such whiners sometimes!!!