Democrats: Let's be the party of Facts.

Submitted by Nina Kilbride on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 1:12pm

I am thrilled at the initial success of North Carolina citizens of all political inclinations in transforming the process of curriculum development in the state. But I am troubled. Why? Because the few people who persist in advocating, “let the DPI do its job” are liberals like me! It’s clear that their understanding of the issue boils down to sound bites, and stems from a knee-jerk reaction to a story brought to national attention by FOX media. Whose fault is it that Fox had a better read on the pulse of its constituents than the liberal media?

We will never beat Republicans in a battle of the sound bites (unless those sound bites are FACTS). Rather than chastising me for falling out of line with a single elected Democratic Party official, liberals should work on gathering facts. How can we use a multi-partisan movement to the benefit of the state while being and example of how people who don’t agree on much can work together for a common good? In this case, the common goal: teaching real history to citizens about to take on the responsibility of running the country. Here’s a starting point: Investigate End-of-Grade-Examinations.

Share on Facebook

Suzanne Reynolds burned this into my brain

Submitted by Nina Kilbride on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 1:16pm.

I was blessed to spend my first week of law school with Suzanne Reynolds teaching me to think like a lawyer. She taught me:

1. The facts make the case
2. The person who succeeds in framing the question is more likely to win.

Let's get out in front on curriculum reform.

Thank you, Professor Reynolds.

Only if the facts are learned in the 11th grade

Submitted by usernamehere on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 2:12pm.

Because facts learned in the 8th grade...well, they just aren't sturdy enough for the future voting public.

I will return to erasing facts learned prior to 11th grade from my mind.

 

You won't win any friends here

Submitted by scharrison on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 2:27pm.

with comments like this:

It’s clear that their understanding of the issue boils down to sound bites

Just because someone disagrees with you it doesn't mean they are uninformed. That's ad hominem territory you're edging into, and it will only hurt your credibility.

My apologies.

Submitted by Nina Kilbride on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 2:38pm.

I certainly mean no personal attack, because I think we share the same goals. But I was informed by some liberal critics that clicking on the link and reviewing the materials would be like brain surgery or carburetor repair. It really isn't, which is plain to any person who reviews the materials. If one make this a contest of FOX's statements vs June Atkinson's, Fox will win because on this one issue, facts are on its side. Can't we bother to get that far?

If you read the proposal and still disagree with me,

Submitted by Nina Kilbride on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 2:45pm.

The DPI could use your support in showing us how this meets minimum standards. I am not kidding, please help them.

I see things I like and dislike

Submitted by scharrison on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 3:47pm.

in the proposal, but the wider issue here is the mistake of fashioning a curriculum based on testing requirements, and the impact that NCLB has on this formula:

Teachers can teach civics and American History within the currently established curricula throughout the various local systems. However, state and local school systems need, ultimately, to reassert their traditional right over education and lobby to end federal NCLB mandates. The ensuing task of reintroducing meaningful history education will be immense, but the future of American democracy, resting in the next generations, may depend on the effort.

The late Senator Claiborne Pell, long identified with American education, once stated that, “The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people.” Until Americans realize the futility of NCLB as it affects history and civics education, Newsweek and other similar publications will continue to publish the results of polls that show how little Americans really know about their past history.

How do you feel about No Child Left Behind, Nina?

The curriculum specifically rejects "facts" as an objective

Submitted by Nina Kilbride on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 2:29pm.

So those 8th graders only learned "concepts" and "themes" easily tested on EOG, not facts, which are hard to test via multiple choice for reasons that merit

Read it before the DPI pulls it down:

http://realhistoryreform.org