Parents Contol School Curricula

American parents typically encourage their children to enjoy
opportunities provided by America’s republic, but are they vigilant in
protecting those opportunities?

While teachers deserve trust and respect, parents mistakenly
believe that teachers are the watchdogs of the academic standards of the
profession. In reality, parents can have greater influence than the classroom
teacher over many aspects of educational standards. Parents need to exercise
their due diligence toward the educational system.
During mid-2011, new standards for social studies were provided
by state departments of education. These standards were influenced by college
professors/educational experts and defined by a variety of committees and
councils such as the National Council of the Social Studies.


Colleges across America are using the HANDBOOK OF SOCIAL
JUSTICE IN EDUCATION edited by William Ayers to prepare teachers to influence
American school curriculum. A chapter written by Bill Ayer’s brother, Rick
Ayers, states, “…these social justice education projects fit equally well in
history courses as in math, English, science, or art.” Therefore, developing a
social and political ideology became preferable to mastery of basic skills.  He explains that education must, “be enacted through transformative action in the classroom, the school, and the wider
community.” Teachers are being instructed to encourage students to become
activists.

This philosophy has influenced the new standards for social
studies curriculum. Parents need to know that in most states, districts do NOT
have to accept these standards. Districts may write their own standards and
they will, if parents require them to do so.

Standards for social studies during the 1970s included
teaching that America is a democracy. This was a concern for many who taught
social studies because the Federalist Papers include letters from our founders
warning against becoming a democracy. Many teachers explained to administrators
that children were wondering why the pledge to the flag says America is a
republic, but the curriculum inaccurately states that America is a democracy.

Concerned teachers were reminded that they must teach what
they are told to teach and that insubordination was grounds for dismissal of
teachers and administrators. The administrator’s effectiveness is determined,
in part, by the level of cooperation he gains from staff. Large numbers of
parents did not protest this academic change. Therefore, those who write
standards are now preparing for the next phase of change, re-writing the
Constitution.
Unless parents take a stand, Wisconsin students and students
in most states will be required to analyze the changes made to the Constitution
over time, to find a flaw in the Constitution, and to write their own amendments
to the Constitution. This is setting the stage for teaching children that the
Constitution is flawed and must be replaced, a goal of many professors
including Sanford Levinson, author of Constitutional
Faith. That author stated in a Q and
A interview that the cover of his book represents the Constitution’s
tombstone.
Several organizations provide guidance and encouragement for
parents who wish to become well informed and actively involved in their child’s
education. Advocates for Academic Freedom provides information guiding parents
through the process of locating the standards for social studies for their
state and the process for parents to voice their wishes regarding all areas of
academic study. Specific information about how to address problems with those
standards is provided in detail on the home page and the blog page of the
professional site: http://advocatesforacademicfreedom.org/
Those parents who wish to assure that America’s children are
learning to protect and defend the Constitution and the republic for which it
stands will find Advocates for Academic Freedom an asset when organizing to
communicate their concerns with their neighborhood school board.