This statement demonstrates the ignorance of the author. The only "public schools" that were available when this country were founded were usually provided by the local church in the community.
Public schools teach the content and rules needed for success in America's culture of religiously diverse communities
And this is supposed to be a defense? This is exactly what is wrong with the public schools! They are supposed to teach readin', writin', and 'rithmetic, period! They were not/should not be the institutions that define what success is. Since the public schools DON'T do the basics noted above, people don't want their kids going there. They do want their children receiving a quality education. But, the public schools are not focused on a quality education, they are focused on a PC-based, watered-down, ultra-leftist indoctrination.
The separation of church and state is a cornerstone of our democratic republic.
NO, JACKA$$, freedom is the cornerstone of our republic. And, I would assume that this puke supports a woman's right to choose to have or not have a child, what's the difference when the SAME MOTHER wants to choose the school that a child goes to? Shows how corrupt this argument is --morally, as well as intellectually.
He is a social studies teacher at Anoka High School
I guess he wasn't smart enough to take a calculus or Diffy-Q course? Or, even a logic course for that matter.
This is the real problem with these leftist and moral relativists...they have equate my son's teacher with Osama Bin Laden's goons. My son goes to a private school. It also has a religious influence. I can assure this MORON that my son is not being taught to "hate the infidel". Besides, my son's teacher is black so there goes his "White Christian School for Justice" comment, as well. In addition, the reason why I send my son to this school is not because they teach him to hate, it is because they ACTUALLY TEACH HIM!
...this new civil right — the right to a religious education...
Maybe this government school indoctrinator should learn some actual history instead of the "social studies" he himself was indoctrinated with. Of course the reason he calls a religious education a "new civil right" is that he thinks that rights come from the government.
The article is nothing but intolerant, incoherent, mean-spirited bigotry.
Cordially,
If this were true it would be great, Except that they don't. What they teach is the least common denominator of leftist political indoctrination. And even that is done with a minimum of efficiency.
Recent demographic shifts indicate that we need the unifying force of our schools more than ever. Changes in family structure, technology, immigration and our workplace have made public schools essential to our cultural unity.
At present, the only unifying force in our schools is that they are failing to teach everyone, equally. Yeah! An entire generation of equal opportunity failure. I feel so much better.
Mittlefehldt, 55, of Anoka, is one of eight Pioneer Press Community Columnists for 2002. He is a social studies teacher at Anoka High School.
Well that explains it, he's an imbecile with an agenda. I just wish he would learn to keep his mouth shut about issues he clearly doesn't understand.
The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the State to standardize its children, forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. A child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.
U.S. Supreme Court - Pierce v Society of Sisters (1925)
Cordially,
Yeah, it's truly irrational to want to help 8,000 kids get more than a 4th grade education in 12 years.
It's just taking money from one school and sending it to another. The total amount stays the same.
Why is it so hard to 'tolerate' someone sending their kids to a religious school if they want? The good 'ole public school system, with its tremendous record to success(!) will always be there for those who don't want.