In a sad commentary on today's young adults, a Washington Post article points out that many college students responding to a civil literacy survey thought Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech was advocating the abolition of slavery. Seriously? Students smart enough to get into college don't know that Dr King lived in the 1960's, not the 1860's? That slavery had long been abolished, but many social injustices still needed to be eradicated? Man, that was a tough break when Abraham Lincoln and Dr King were assassinated in the same year. I understand that most holidays celebrating important figures have become little more than a day off or an excuse to put sheets and towels on sale, but this is a biggie.
The article lays a large chunk of the blame for this confusion on schools squeezing social studies lessons in favor of reading and math. I too lament the pinching of social studies(as well as art and music) from the curriculum, however, school is hardly the only place students should be getting their knowledge. Parents are obligated to help their children learn, whether it is a history lesson or catching and observing fireflies. Not all of our children's shortcomings can be laid at the feet of educators.
No matter who is to blame , it is a sorry state when people don't know what Dr King stood for. Every American, let alone every college student, should posess that knowledge.
9 comments:
Absolutely. I will go so far as to say that I think schools should be in session for these holidays. Set aside these days to learn why we must remember.
On the WP's assertion that NCLB is to blame, I am just shaking my head. Flawed as it is (seriously? perhaps), NCLB is not to blame for all of our education ills. Social studies can easily be integrated with reading curriculum. Schools, or teachers, or whoever have failed to modify their teaching.
So sad to say but No Child Left Behind has had a major impact on the teaching world. Science and S.S. are the first subjects to get tossed out. I agree it is the parents responsibility also to reinforce major life lessons and national leaders we have had along the way. I'm not putting all blame on No Child Left Behind but it really has created a society only concerned about test scores. And of course these test scores reflect Reading and Math.
Is it surprising, look at our national outlook. Even important civic leaders are only given a shelf-life of say, the latest boy band. Sadly both Britney and Paris and their beavers may have more longevity than any other American, even the one who may cure cancer tomorrow.How about looking at say, foreign policy. Is it any surprise that social studies is an early cut when our government currently seems to have a real big problem with worldwide social issues of it's own.It's truly a loss when someone as import as Martin Luther King Jr was to all of us, has a legacy that is seemingly forgoten. That must be heartbreaking to his family.
Not to sound as bad as this sounds but,the bad thing really is that I'll bet that more than half of those students are black.
Schools should be in session during these holidays??? Or should parents be doing their jobs also in educating their own children about our important leaders. We throw out Martin Luther King Day as a holiday and President's Day will follow and soon we will have a hierarchy of what constitutes a "holiday". Imagine not having an Easter or Christmas Break because Jesus is involved. Step into the schools and see how NCLB has impacted the school systems. Teachers HAVE to teach only what will improve test scores so the schools will meet AYP ( adaquate yearly progress). Teachers have no freedom anymore. In fact, we are scripted in what we have to say and do. And god forbid your class doesn't pass....who gets the blame....the TEACHER!!!! NCLB doesn't take into account that students are coming to us years behind academically... we are suppose to magically fix this in the 180 days we have with them. Yea right!!! NCLB has a lot of modifying to do.
yup, schools should be in session during those holidays. and school should be year-round since we no longer need children to labor in our farm fields.
on another note, everyone who has an opinion about education in America and our ability to make all of our children "above average" must read this article: http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110009531
teachers have no freedom? seems like they have tons of freedom in June, July, and August when the rest of us shleps are commuting to the office everyday.
SNOOCHIE COOCHIES!
Final word: GET THE FEDERAL GOV'T OUT OF EDUCATION. There is nothing in the Constitution or Bill of Rights that provides for federal education.
* Yes, get federal government out of the schools!!
* Yes, schools should be year round. Much better for the children.
* No, teachers don't have off June, July, and August. Don't forget about the numerous programs we attend in the summer to better implement our upcoming school year. Many of these days are without pay but we have to pay a babysitter to watch our own children.
* no, schools should be closed on holidays.
* no, school systems are not what they use to be. In fact, I can see a new career for me in 5 years due to all the politics. Teachers can't teach anymore ( that's what I meant by freedom ) we are scripted in what we say and do....all for higher test scores.
We have several year-round schools out here, mostly because the explosive growth makes it necessary. My friends who teach there are quite happy about the situation.
It was not my intention to slam teachers, for from it. I just wanted to point out that curriculum can be integrated, and successfully at that. Reading comprehension is important, yes. Why not have students read from their science and SS texts?
As for school holidays, I am still all about being in school for these days. President's Day, too. As for Christmas, most schools have winter break which takes care of this. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hoshannah are already excused for Jewish students.
I think I shall write this on my calendar: I agree with Wolske. Wow. That was hard.
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