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On this Independence Day [weekend], never has it been more apparent the value of education to a free society. Thanks to my friends at District 279 United, I found a remarkably clear explanation of this. In an interview with the author of WALKING TARGETS: How Our Psychologized Classrooms Are Producing a Nation of Sitting Ducks, B. K. (Beverly) Eakman says the primary mission of our schools should be to (paraphrasing):
- Create a literate citizenry, capable of self-government.
- Ensure financial independence for that free citizenry, helping ensure political stability.
- Bolster moral standards consistent with the Founders’ unique and Christian-based concept of democracy: life, the pursuit of happiness, national sovereignty, property rights, and free speech.
That an Al Franken could get over a million votes in a supposedly well-educated state tells me that we have failed on all three. So what are our schools doing instead, according to Eakman?
"The current function of school is to produce “happy children.” In education jargon, the aim is to produce a “child-centered curriculum[.]" [...] Of course, most schoolchildren are not happy. Proof is in the graffiti, vandalism, arson, school shootings, and just plain non-engagement on the part of students with what should be academic achievement."
That's a bit dismissive of much genuine achievement by most of our students, but producing happy children does not preclude that outcome. It's just not a good enough outcome.
Our school leaders constantly talk about preparing students for the 21st century business world of high technology and global competition. This certainly addresses the financial independence goal, but only the half about making money, not the half about keeping it from an ever expanding, ultimately unsustainable dictatorial government.
The three intertwined goals for preserving liberty? If anything, we seem to be going in the opposite direction, in the name of political correctness. Standards have been lowered and testing has been eased. And our heritage is clearly suspect to many educators: how dare we think our culture is better, despite the economic, social, and political evidence?
The concept of capitalism's virtues and beneficent "invisible hand" require an educated mind to comprehend. We all have the more primal "something for nothing" weakness upon which socialism feeds. It is education that overcomes it, making one realize, "That won't work," and ultimately, "That's not right."
A competent 21st century education can and must include new events and ideas, but not at the expense of the foundation of our liberty. Education is the fountainhead of our freedoms. Let us always remember that, especially today.
Cross-posted and comments welcome at Speed Gibson. |
