Reply to Youngkin Says Report on ‘Honesty Gap’ Points to Decline in Virginia Schools

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Reply to "Youngkin Says Report on ‘Honesty Gap’ Points to Decline in Virginia Schools"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Achieve pushes “competency-based pathways.”

I say we need more critical thinking in schools, more holistic approaches.

Conservatives hate that idea because they won’t win future elections if voters think critically. So they push things like “competency based pathways.”[/quote]

What you characterize as "critical thinking" is understood by many to mean the indoctrination of younger students with a particular set of political views by teachers who do not seek to explore multiple perspectives.  "Comptency-based pathways" at least connotes learning things that will help graduates earn a living wage.  [/quote]

Yes, I am aware of the twisted narrative.

The difference is like the difference between teaching liberal arts in college or attending trade school. The most successful people in society today have a liberal arts/critical thinking background. It’s actually the opposite of indoctrination because it teaches students to challenge authority, which includes what is being taught.

The “just learn skills” crowd only wants students to know how to change a light fixture or repair a car or program a computer. It doesn’t want anyone seeing the forest for the trees. Because then people might second-guess voting for conservative politicians who promote policies that are bad for them. It makes them more prone to acquiescence.

This has been in the works for 30+ years in public education. What we’re seeing now is next level, however.[/quote]

That's a lot to unpack.

It's not like students who just have liberal arts degrees graduate and set the world on fire.  Many can barely find decent employment, and the higher-paid liberal arts graduates often are those who've gone on to attend graduate or professional schools, which may not be a financial option for many students.

As for whether "critical thinking" is being encouraged, it's notable that the School Board has been exploring, if it has not already adopted, revisions to an existing "controversial issues" policy that required teachers to consider presenting competing perspectives, which would be consistent with encouraging students to develop their own views, to instead allow teachers to advocate in classrooms for a particular point of view.  That would be fine if students already had the so-called "critical thinking" skills to challenge their teachers, but in practice it may lead to race and class-centered indoctrination.

Finally, as for the suggestion that "competency-based pathways" boil down to "just learn skills," that would be unfortunate if it were all that it entailed.  [b]At least some conservatives want to ensure all students are receiving an education in what used to be called "civics" that entails gaining an understanding of the basics about, for example, the three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and a federal system (under which certain powers are exercised by the federal government, while others are reserved to the states).  That type of education can make for an informed citizenry and electorate, not one that only learns vocational training.  [/b]

Certainly it would be preferable to some of what currently happens in FCPS, where multiple schools (including some where students might benefit the most from additional vocational pathways) instead have International Baccalaureate programs that purport to develop "global citizens," but are poorly subscribed, treat the United States as just one of many countries around the world, fail to cover basic "civics," and graduate few students on track to receive an IB diploma. [/quote]

Funniest thing I've ever read on DCUM.  EVER!  Just where are those conservatives so concerned about students learning about our Constitution and government?  Are they the same conservatives who don't understand what the Constitution actually says?  Who disregard the contingencies stated within the 2nd amendment so they can argue a simple entitlement for every individual to own any gun, any number of guns, any capacity gun of their choosing for their "personal protection"?

The previous PP is spot on.  DeSantis and his ilk do not want enlightened minds because you can't count on those minds to vote for them and fellow republicans.  They want people to keep their heads down and just listen to what they tell them, don't question.  They're too insecure in their own righteous ways and abilities and are seeking to restrict education to increase their likelihood of increasing and retaining power.  Don't let slaves have guns....they might revolt.

There is no good reason that anyone training for a specific technical trade could - or should - not also be well educated in literature, philosophy, the arts, or any subject outside their specific field of training.  People should have options.  People should be knowledgeable, educated, and informed voters whether they are a trash collector, a lawyer, auto mechanic, or HVAC technician.[/quote]

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