Texas Republican Party Calls For Abstinence Only Sex Ed, Corporal Punishment In Schools
Early this month, Texas Republican delegates met in Fort Worth to approve their 2012 platform, notable parts of which take aim at the state's education system.
In the section titled "Educating Our Children," the document states that "corporal punishment is effective" and recommends teachers be given "more authority" to deal with disciplinary problems.
Additionally, the document states the party opposes mandatory pre-school and kindergarten, saying parents are "best suited to train their children in their early development."
The position causing the most controversy, however, is the statement that they oppose the teaching of "higher order thinking skills" -- a curriculum which strives to encourage critical thinking -- arguing that it might challenge "student's fixed beliefs" and undermine "parental authority."
The party also notes its encouragement of legislation that prevents "non-citizens unlawfully present in the United States" from enrolling in public schools, a stance that federal officials have previously deemed against the law.
In March, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told Bloomberg he felt "very, very badly" for Texas students.
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
The following weekend, former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs gave his own criticism of the state's education system.
"I think when it comes to someone like Rick Perry, [voters are] going to wonder why a place like Texas has one of the worst education systems," Gibbs said on "Meet the Press."
Doesn't surprise me. I actually don't know the last time Texas has truly surprised me.
Oh, and I'm so happy they see the education system here is ***.. Too bad they suck at targeting the actual problems.
Hell for like the last few weeks of school my son had no home work (did he even have school work?) because they were "out of paper".. That's just how under-funded ***is around here.
Texas Republican Party Calls For Abstinence Only Sex Ed, Corporal Punishment In Schools
Early this month, Texas Republican delegates met in Fort Worth to approve their 2012 platform, notable parts of which take aim at the state's education system.
In the section titled "Educating Our Children," the document states that "corporal punishment is effective" and recommends teachers be given "more authority" to deal with disciplinary problems.
Additionally, the document states the party opposes mandatory pre-school and kindergarten, saying parents are "best suited to train their children in their early development."
The position causing the most controversy, however, is the statement that they oppose the teaching of "higher order thinking skills" -- a curriculum which strives to encourage critical thinking -- arguing that it might challenge "student's fixed beliefs" and undermine "parental authority."
The party also notes its encouragement of legislation that prevents "non-citizens unlawfully present in the United States" from enrolling in public schools, a stance that federal officials have previously deemed against the law.
In March, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told Bloomberg he felt "very, very badly" for Texas students.
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
The following weekend, former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs gave his own criticism of the state's education system.
"I think when it comes to someone like Rick Perry, [voters are] going to wonder why a place like Texas has one of the worst education systems," Gibbs said on "Meet the Press."
Having graduated from a TX HS in 01, I assume that its the same here as most places. The rich areas have fantastic schools, with good teachers, and nice facilities etc.
The poor areas go to school in a garbage dump with teachers who can't tell their own *** from their face.
My mother teaches in a now lower income high school (used to be pretty middle class).
She firmly believes every teacher should be equipped with a paintball gun and be allowed to shoot problem children. Three strikes in a day and you're out of the school.
Just fun facts.
Personally graduated from an okay high school in Texas, nothing special, nothing horrible. On the flip side, public higher education in Texas is pretty high on the list... dunno how that works.
Informative video if you like the amazing atheist. Amusing video if you like watching an angry man rant on youtube. ^^
Edit: Also pause at right around 4:30 when he starts ranting about homosexuality and read the snippet labeled "Supporting Motherhood." Liberal assault on the family? What. xD
If he controlled his emotions better I'd like him better too, Volkom. Yelling angrily like he does doesn't help much, honestly. There are better atheist youtube entertainers, but he's the one most recently to drop a rant on Texas into my inbox. xD
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
Is this really the issue as portrayed? Because lets face it, no-one in this country really cares about education. They care about money. Thats the only real reason people ever strive to graduate high school or collage. Their is not to many ppl left that are out their learning things just for the sake of knowledge and understanding.
How many parents are happy to have a kid go to collage knowing they wont get a better job in that field? And how many ppl would drop out of high school or collage if they had a chance at a really good paying job?
Ppl complain all the time about poor education, but is real education what they truly want?
I've not been impressed with Texas schools. This article makes me sad... They seem to be more interested in making their own lives easier than providing decent education and skills to improve children's lives.
One of our eagle-eyed readers emailed us to point out this unbelievable passage in the RPT 2012 platform, as adopted at their recent statewide conference.
"Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority."
What this really means is that the GOP is doubling down on learn-by-rote fact recitation – of the kind spearheaded by the worst of the pro-testing advocates, and locally by IDEA Public Schools, which has committed to the anti-analytical direct learning model (aka "press button A, B or C.")
But what the hell is all that bunk about "undermining parental authority"? Could it be that the Texas GOP has shown its paternalistic streak a little too overtly? And, let's face facts, that's just policy-wonk speak for "honor thy father and mother." Yup, the Texas GOP is officially enshrining blind obedience into its doctrine of political domination. And be careful that you don't disturb a student's fixed beliefs, like, say, that the Loch Ness Monster is real.
Sadly, this is just one of 30 pages of head-in-the-sand, pretend-the-Enlightenment-never-happened thinking from the state's dominating party. Other gems include:
– Abstinence-only sex ed (yeah, because that's worked so well so far.)
– Trying juveniles as adults
– Faith-based drug rehab should be emphasized (Scientology front operation NarcAnon should be rubbing its hands at that one)
– Oppose the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Yeah! Who's the UN to tell us we should ban child slavery?)
– Flat rate income tax (go Team 1%!)
– Repealing the minimum wage (suck it, wage slaves!)
– Opposing homosexuality in the military (don't ask, don't tell, and don't do that!)
– Opposition to red light cameras (because if you run a red, kill someone, and there's no witnesses, was the light ever really red?)
– Oppose the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because firms should be able to fire people for what they consider "sinful and sexually immoral behavior." Like, say, growing a beard?
– Continued opposition to ACORN (even though it has not existed since 2010)
– Opposing statehood or even Congressional voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia (who writes this crap, Rand Paul?)
– And no-questions-asked support for Israel because, and this is another direct quote, "Our policy is based on God’s biblical promise to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and organizations to enjoy the benefits of that promise."
Yes, for every measure that everyone can agree on, like labeling GMOs, there's another entry or three from the crazy ideas discount bin.
So, next time some Tea Partier tells you the GOP is all about freedom and liberty, remind them that the GOP doesn't want people to learn how to think critically. Because people who can think critically might start looking at their platform.
Since I live in Tx, I plan to have my children receive basic knowledge and instruction from school, but the wife & I also plan to take much of the responsibility in training them to think critically etc.
IMO all parents should rely more on themselves to teach their kids the most important things & less on strangers who are affected by unknown biases and agendas.
You could start off by learning that not only is Iran a completely different religious sect of Islam than the Taliban, but that the Taliban don't even have a presence in Iran.
You could start off by learning that not only is Iran a completely different religious sect of Islam than the Taliban, but that the Taliban don't even have a presence in Iran.
It's not exactly far from what some people believe though, and stereotype that whole region of the world. (Meaning I know people that don't differentiate between Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan etc, and think that entire region is just terrorists and goats - the statement is obviously false.)
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
Is this really the issue as portrayed? Because lets face it, no-one in this country really cares about education. They care about money. Thats the only real reason people ever strive to graduate high school or collage. Their is not to many ppl left that are out their learning things just for the sake of knowledge and understanding.
How many parents are happy to have a kid go to collage knowing they wont get a better job in that field? And how many ppl would drop out of high school or collage if they had a chance at a really good paying job?
Ppl complain all the time about poor education, but is real education what they truly want?
Pretty sweeping statement to assert that no one cares about education in this country, just sayin.
Parents try to lead their children towards money making careers because it's the "safe" path rather than becoming a savant living in a cardboard box. Can you blame them? No one wants to see their child fail even if they have incredible potential and the push for offspring to be something well-respected, well-known and capable of generating wealth is no recent development.
The problem with pushes like this from the GOP is that it stifles any attempts for children to be unique, to make their own decisions or to pour their personal interests back into the economy where the US holds competitive advantage (innovation) by printing a generation of ignorant fools. These people will useful to large corporations/wealthy individuals who want cheap labor and individuals who are incapable of understanding just how screwed they are.
We complain about a generation of sheep already? Just wait till the education system is thoroughly gutted and you'll see what bleating is all about.
Where you once had a choice to choose between that Philosophy degree or becoming a lawyer on your own will be replaced with whatever you can get after graduating. What better way to destroy the opposition and consolidate wealth than to the poison the well of youth?
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
Is this really the issue as portrayed? Because lets face it, no-one in this country really cares about education. They care about money. Thats the only real reason people ever strive to graduate high school or collage. Their is not to many ppl left that are out their learning things just for the sake of knowledge and understanding.
How many parents are happy to have a kid go to collage knowing they wont get a better job in that field? And how many ppl would drop out of high school or collage if they had a chance at a really good paying job?
Ppl complain all the time about poor education, but is real education what they truly want?
Pretty sweeping statement to assert that no one cares about education in this country, just sayin.
Parents try to lead their children towards money making careers because it's the "safe" path rather than becoming a savant living in a cardboard box. Can you blame them? No one wants to see their child fail even if they have incredible potential and the push for offspring to be something well-respected, rich in wealth and well-known to the public is no recent development.
Is it not wise to at the very least to inform your child that certain degrees offer less than others?
The problem with pushes like this from the GOP is that it stifles any attempts for children to be unique, make their own decisions or pour their personal interests back into the economy where the US holds competitive advantage by printing a generation of ignorant fools.
Where you once had a choice to choose between that Philosophy degree and becoming a lawyer on your own will be replaced with whatever you can get after graduating because you were set up in the education system to be pawn for those with power.
What better way to destroy the opposition than the poison the well of youth?
doesn't matter what you major in college or what degree/certification you get. You can get a ph.d in astrophysics and still be the most stupidest *** ever working at mc.donalds. It really all comes down to how to utilize what you learn and/or your motivation to pursue something you like or that you're interested in, maybe for money or just for the pure joy of it.
doesn't matter what you major in college or what degree/certification you get. You can get a ph.d in astrophysics and still be the most stupidest *** ever working at mc.donalds. It really all comes down to how to utilize what you learn and/or your motivation to pursue something you like or that you're interested in, maybe for money or just for the pure joy of it.
And what motivation will you have to become an astrophysicist when science class back in the 5th grade asserts that God created the heavens, science is for liberals and now it's time to learn about Noah's Ark and friends? You can't have 'motivation' if you've never had the experiences to spark your interest into a particular field.
I will concede that you don't need school to spark this motivation but children spend most of their time in school and when the education system is actively trying to destroy higher order thinking you can only arrive at ignorance, a severe constraint in choices available to you or whatever job those with some knowledge offer you.
doesn't matter what you major in college or what degree/certification you get. You can get a ph.d in astrophysics and still be the most stupidest *** ever working at mc.donalds. It really all comes down to how to utilize what you learn and/or your motivation to pursue something you like or that you're interested in, maybe for money or just for the pure joy of it.
And what motivation will you have to become an astrophysicist when science class back in the 5th grade asserts that God created the heavens, science is for liberals and now it's time to learn about Noah's Ark and friends? You can't have 'motivation' if you've never had the experiences to spark your interest into a particular field.
I will concede that you don't need school to spark this motivation but children spend most of their time in school and when the education system is actively trying to destroy higher order thinking you can only arrive at ignorance, a severe constraint in choices available to you or whatever job those with some knowledge offer you.
well the science courses i took back during middleschool/highschool in texas didn't go over creationism. And there was a pretty big debate in my biology class about it. The teacher basically told us that we're going to learn about darwinism and if they didn't like it, well they were sol cuz that's what rules/regulations were.
Also (this may not be true for other schools/school districts) but my school district decided not to teach a creationism based science course; though they would offer the equivalent to a bible study class after school.
doesn't matter what you major in college or what degree/certification you get. You can get a ph.d in astrophysics and still be the most stupidest *** ever working at mc.donalds. It really all comes down to how to utilize what you learn and/or your motivation to pursue something you like or that you're interested in, maybe for money or just for the pure joy of it.
doesn't matter what you major in college or what degree/certification you get. You can get a ph.d in astrophysics and still be the most stupidest *** ever working at mc.donalds. It really all comes down to how to utilize what you learn and/or your motivation to pursue something you like or that you're interested in, maybe for money or just for the pure joy of it.
you can't get a phd without motivation
yup, thats what they said about people going for their bachelors and stay in college for 7+ years trying to get it
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
Is this really the issue as portrayed? Because lets face it, no-one in this country really cares about education. They care about money. Thats the only real reason people ever strive to graduate high school or collage. Their is not to many ppl left that are out their learning things just for the sake of knowledge and understanding. How many parents are happy to have a kid go to collage knowing they wont get a better job in that field? And how many ppl would drop out of high school or collage if they had a chance at a really good paying job? Ppl complain all the time about poor education, but is real education what they truly want?
Pretty sweeping statement to assert that no one cares about education in this country, just sayin. Parents try to lead their children towards money making careers because it's the "safe" path rather than becoming a savant living in a cardboard box. Can you blame them? No one wants to see their child fail even if they have incredible potential and the push for offspring to be something well-respected, well-known and capable of generating wealth is no recent development. The problem with pushes like this from the GOP is that it stifles any attempts for children to be unique, to make their own decisions or to pour their personal interests back into the economy where the US holds competitive advantage (innovation) by printing a generation of ignorant fools. These people will useful to large corporations/wealthy individuals who want cheap labor and individuals who are incapable of understanding just how screwed they are. We complain about a generation of sheep already? Just wait till the education system is thoroughly gutted and you'll see what bleating is all about. Where you once had a choice to choose between that Philosophy degree or becoming a lawyer on your own will be replaced with whatever you can get after graduating. What better way to destroy the opposition and consolidate wealth than to the poison the well of youth?
Very true. And its been aiming at that for some time.
I only graduated 6 years ago. But it was a screw job even then. People complain about the level of education, i say we start simple by teaching actual facts for a change.
During a American civil war class, the statement was made by a student that slavery, while a big issue, was not the one and only issue of the war. Was responded to by the teacher saying 'well then your obviously a racist'.
Taught that in world war 2, england, France, and America were the only forces fighting on the allies. With a little bit of help from the Russian here and their. Of course thats complimented by the teaching that since France was invaded and england heavily damaged, that America won virtually the whole war on their own. (Gotta love propaganda)
The war of 1812... hell, that was never once mentioned in all 12 grade levels worth of history class.
Almost failed senior year of high school because I got a 0 test grade because i made a mistake on a rough draft of a paper.
Despite my high level of computer and mathematics, i was told i would never be allowed to graduate because i didn't take enough 'art' classes.
Yet despite what they 'force you to willing chose', things like basic economics, law, government, the constitution, things that our every day lives are run by, (or supposed to be run by) are not only not taught at all, they arnt even offered. Now i hope that its just new jersey here thats such a big screw up, but looking at society, i doubt its alone.
All that bull is only compiled with that fact that most kids i ever met, have no desire to learn. Alls they want is their little toys. "everybody wants a cell phone that will make pancakes and rub their balls for them." (George Carlin).
Texas Republican Party Calls For Abstinence Only Sex Ed, Corporal Punishment In Schools
Early this month, Texas Republican delegates met in Fort Worth to approve their 2012 platform, notable parts of which take aim at the state's education system.
In the section titled "Educating Our Children," the document states that "corporal punishment is effective" and recommends teachers be given "more authority" to deal with disciplinary problems.
Additionally, the document states the party opposes mandatory pre-school and kindergarten, saying parents are "best suited to train their children in their early development."
The position causing the most controversy, however, is the statement that they oppose the teaching of "higher order thinking skills" -- a curriculum which strives to encourage critical thinking -- arguing that it might challenge "student's fixed beliefs" and undermine "parental authority."
The party also notes its encouragement of legislation that prevents "non-citizens unlawfully present in the United States" from enrolling in public schools, a stance that federal officials have previously deemed against the law.
In March, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told Bloomberg he felt "very, very badly" for Texas students.
"Texas may have the lowest high school graduation rate in the country," Duncan said, according to Bloomberg.
The following weekend, former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs gave his own criticism of the state's education system.
"I think when it comes to someone like Rick Perry, [voters are] going to wonder why a place like Texas has one of the worst education systems," Gibbs said on "Meet the Press."
