Author:\u00a0 R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D<\/p>\n
Local county Boards of Education (school boards) have the responsibility and authority to ensure that the public schools are effectively educating the students entrusted to them. As elected officials they should represent the will of their constituents. The overall pattern of student performance has been decreasing over the past several years. Scores on end of grade and other standardized tests are going down. In the meantime, the introduction of ideological instruction such as Critical Race Theory, Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI), sex education, and climate change are taking up more of the student\u2019s time that should be focused on traditional academic subjects. Public schools are less about academic achievement and excellence, and more about indoctrination of leftist values and objectives. The role of the local school boards is essential if this trend is to be corrected.<\/p>\n
The first step is accountability. Performance on traditional academic subjects needs to be the renewed focus and should include open reporting to parents and taxpayers. Under-performance must not be tolerated. Returning to proven, traditional methods is needed. Reliance on computers, laptops, etc. needs to be evaluated since performance has not increased with their availability. How about returning to textbooks?<\/p>\n
The second step is removing the non-academic instruction. Critical race theory in any of its disguises has no place in the school curricula. Neither does DEI. These ideologies not only waste students’ time that should be spent on purely academic subjects but they sabotage motivation to achieve to the best of one\u2019s ability. Motivation to learn must be encouraged not undermined. High achievement should be encouraged and rewarded. No more participation trophies! We must return to a meritocracy where work and achievement are rewarded. Stop telling students that if they do well it embarrasses their fellow students!<\/p>\n
There is increasing evidence that schools are contributing to the mental health problems of their students. The case in point is the transgender principles that are being introduced and in some cases encouraged in schools. In some cases as early as kindergarten and first grade, students are told that their gender is fluid and not determined by their sex at birth. The N.C. General Assembly to their credit recently passed legislation, as have several other states, restricting the prescribing of sex change drugs and surgeries despite a veto by the governor. Well done! School boards need to ensure that transgender instruction is not occurring in the schools and that parents must be informed immediately if their child is requesting to be called by the opposite sex pronoun or is manifesting other indications of gender confusion. Children must not be referred to a school counselor for gender related issues without the parent\u2019s knowledge and approval.<\/p>\n
Another topic is climate change. Students are being told only one side of the climate debate. They are not only told that mankind is responsible for climate change\/variations, but that a catastrophe will occur in their lifetimes if something is not done! Inducing fear in young children based on an unproven scientific model is totally unethical and damaging to children\u2019s mental health. This is how the Left indoctrinates our children. School Boards must insist that the issue of climate change be part of established science instruction and that both sides of the issue be fairly presented. Having climate change fairs, scavenger hunts, etc., must be stopped since they reinforce belief in an unproven theory.<\/p>\n
If you agree with any of the things in things in this article, contact your local school board members and go to your school board meetings. Let them know your opinion. Remember they work for you! The fate of our country hangs in the balance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Author:\u00a0 R. Alan Harrop, Ph.D Local county Boards of Education (school boards) have the responsibility and authority to ensure that the public schools are effectively educating the students entrusted to them. As elected officials they should represent the will of … Continue reading