Navigation...User loginBlogad PremiumDonate with PaypalBlogad Regular David Swanson's new book is only $14.95.
"Daybreak urgently reminds us that good political intentions are not sufficient to ensure the continuation of our democracy; informed vigilance is vital to that task." |
Put the Bill of Rights in our classroomsAnother great suggestion from a member of our local DFA group is to start a movement to get the Bill of Rights in all our K-12 classrooms. This has obvious political and social benefits, not the least of which is that it is a proactive move to start defining ourselves as progressives instead letting the rethuglicans do it!
|
What's HotJobs Not Wars [100,000] Single Payer Healthcare [100,000] Boycott FOX News Advertisers [100,000] Special Prosecutor for Bush War Crimes [100,000] Facebook / Twitter (Bob Fertik, David Swanson, Democrats.com) Local: connect with Democrats.com members in your State, County, Congressional District, and Zip Single Payer Health CareActive forum topics
Your Representatives
Welcome new visitors! Login to see your Representatives here and how to contact them.
Syndicate |
An excellent idea
You should also include the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution (with further study on what it means for the more advanced grades), and the Gettysburg Address.
This is an idea that everyone should support.
Illinois
All students in Illinois must take and pass an exam on both the Federal and State constitutions, once in elementary school and again in high school. If you want to teach, you must take it in college.
Does't every state have this requirement? And if not, why not?
re: Exams on Consititution, etc.
No, not a requirement in Oklahoma, but perhaps one can find a way to work it in if we can ever get that damn NCLB monkey off our backs!
NCLB is very suggestive of what the World Bank and International Monetary Fund has done to many of the former Soviet Republics and other countries. Those countries that followed their economic guidelines are most exemplified by Russia. Those that didn't are doing quite well financially and are able to meet their WB and IMF obligations, as well as take care of their citizens, like Poland.
NCLB gives the conservatives leverage to further undermine education that they haven't even used, yet, by manipulating the tests.
I am taking on education reform in our state as a personal crusade. I can't believe what they are *not* teaching my kids.
Great Idea
I am a fairly conservative person and a Christian as well. I am also an American and proud of it. I think what froggy is suggesting is an EXCELLENT idea! This is our heritage and the foundation of our freedom. Personally I do not think our schools are tough enough. We aren't challenging the kids enough. School need to teach kids how to think, not what to think.
Your correct
I've teaching for 27 years now. When I was in school and when I began teaching, the overriding philosophy was to teach kids how to find the answers, not give them the answers. High stakes testing (State tests and No Child Left Behind) have altered this significantly. Now teachers teach to these tests, and don't have time to teach them proper research techniques, how to use a library,etc.
But the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and yes, the Gettysburg Address should be mandatory.
how about the constitution??
especially these lines:
Clause 3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
now isnt the income tax a direct tax on americans?
Read the 16th Amendment...
and weep on April 15.
Add: Post in All Government Buildings too!
Since altogether too many people don't even know what rights are guaranteed them by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution; should we be surprised if more people aren't outraged when their rights are infringed? This would be an effective way to reach the minds of young people... the obvious expansion of this idea...
Post the Bill of Rights in all Government Buildings! If all Government facilities are required to post the "Ten Commandments", the least we should do is post the "Bill of Rights" as well!
Dumb kids
About 6 years ago, I was in high school Geography class taught by a teacher who didn't know that the Northwest Territory was a Territory and not a Province of Canada. She gave us an assignment to draw a map of the world from our memory...this is in Minnesota. 2 out of 36 kids remembered to include Canada. I was one of them.