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| H/T to Phil Munger. |
State lawmakers are considering a proposal to require Alaska students to know their Constitution.
Wasilla Rep. Wes Keller's (R) House Bill 5 had its first hearing Wednesday.
The measure presumes young people are in danger of forgetting their fundamental rights, written centuries ago in documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation.
Keller wants to require that public schools teach "American constitutionalism," a curriculum which focuses on the historic documents, and that it become part of the exit exam each student takes in order
Okay number one I seriously doubt that Rep. Keller could pas even a rudimentary quiz about the Constitution.
"Which is you favorite amendment Rep. Keller?"
"All of em." (Isn't that the usual response that we expect from politicians who come out of Wasilla?)
And do the kids in Wasilla REALLY need anything else added to make graduating just that much harder? After all a school that was dubbed a "drop out factory" by John Hopkins University certainly does not need a Teabagging politician to introduce yet another obstacle to successfully getting their hands on their diploma, now do they?
What a school like Wasilla High really needs are more qualified teachers, more money to allow access to better materials, and involved parents. NOT another stupid test, that will do them NO good in the workplace, added to the exit exam in order to feed somebodies red, white, and blue fetish.
I don't have any heartache with this. Kids should know the US and Alaska Constitutions.
ReplyDeleteAs a representative he could spend more time making sure citizens don't have their civil rights violated, rather than it waste on this BS. Alaska violates people's rights left and right, what has he done about that? Has he done anything about prosecutorial malfesance? Of course not, because this idiot is a puppet used for an agenda that is being pushed by the "Constitutional Conservatives" which is a different name for Tea Party wackbards. Gee, when I was in school we had these books we read which had the constitution in them and we were lectured about it more than once. Has that changed? No, what he wants to do is put a particular spin on the Constitution by legislating it. He could care less what it really says.
ReplyDeleteI can dig it, if we attach a rider to the law requiring all officeholders to subject themselves to at least 1 polygraph test per legislative session. I'll even write the test questions.
ReplyDeleteI gotta say, I believe students in many of the lower 48 states have to pass a US Constitution test in middle school.
ReplyDeleteIf AK doesn't have a similar curriculum requirement, well...
Surely the class will be taught by long distance leanring via the Glenn Beck University. You know, so it's acurate and stuff.
ReplyDeleteStudents should know these things, but it used to be taught from elementary school on up over a course of years in courses such as Government or Civics, or even American History.
ReplyDeleteThat said, you are absolutely correct that putting requirements such as this a test to graduate is not only ineffective but also is a possible bar to graduation.
What irks me most, is, as an educator myself, that standardized testing often means teachers are required to teach to the test, not to encourage analysis, synthesis and independent critical thinking.
Rote memory has its proper place, but it should not be the ends to which we all strive. Asking kids to study our foundational documents in order to pass a test to graduate means they will treat it as garbage in - garbage out if they get it at all.
They won't have time to reflect upon it, debate and discuss it, or have it mean anything. It will be reduced to a means to an end. Period.
I would much prefer they reintroduce classes such as Civics earlier into the curriculum. Then, kids be taken to the city courts, to council meetings and the like and really see government in action and learn what being a good citizen means.
"Wassilla Teabaggers create class so Sarah can go back to school and learn about the constitution"
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going to school, Civics class was a requirement for graduation. Maybe they never had that in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteLet's see Track, Bristol, Willow or Piper give it a shot. This should be funny.
ReplyDeleteWes Keller was a church buddy of the Palin's wasn't he? He was appointed to fill the Wasilla House seat following disgraced Rep. Vic Kohring’s resignation.
ReplyDeleteThis is what you get when you give the keys to drive 'the people' to Joe-the-Plumbers.
Keller is an idiot, an ahole and no better than a high school bully. Case in point:
http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2008/09/17/breaking_news/doc48d00a9aa9968982915788.txt
He saw cause for 'disqualification' of an independent investigator because of his 'friendship' with former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan when he himself was a Palin BFF - saw no conflict of interest in his suit whatsoever?
This is just as mature and rational as Sarah, as a Mayor, not recusing herself from voting on the city's Iron Dog sponsorship when Todd was a well known competitor and past winner.
Such a low bar for representation. Pathetic.
It won't hurt anyone to read the constitution, but the guy proposing it should go first. Then again, I'm one of those crazy people who thinks all the assholes who constantly talk about biblical bs should be required to actually read it.
ReplyDeleteYep,... back in the 60's when I graduated, they had that requirement. It was part of HS History/Civics back then.
ReplyDeleteIt's not that it's a bad idea,... it all depends on whether the teach it "factually" or "Texas style". You know,..."their way". ;)
Does this idjit even realize that students are already required to pass a semester course in US Govt, usually taken in their senior year? A semester of Alaska history is also required which includes the AK Constitution. These are graduation requirements, not electives!
ReplyDeleteWhy not improve the American Govt class or whatever they already have?
ReplyDeleteI do think kids need MORE education on the constitution though, so this might not be a bad idea, as long as it is not the Teabagger version.
In Illinois, the kids have to pass the Constitution test in middle school. I think that it is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteAside from the Declaration, the Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation already being taught in Government, Civics, and American History classes...
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to take the Tea Party in general and Sarah Palin in particular, sit them down and teach them why the Articles of Confederation (think "state's rights") were replaced by the Constitution.
Involved parents and the money to attract excellent teachers is a good foundation.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think POLITICIANS should be able to pass an extensive test on the Constitution and basic "how a bill is passed" test before pledging into office.
One of the MANY reasons Quitty pushed me toward voting Democrat for the first time in 2008 was her whining that she feared for "her first amendment rights" when reporters noted the hateful tone of her rallies.
Of course in upside down Palinland a free press, able to criticize political candidates, is a "threat" to HER rights.
Sarah Palin wilts as Glenn Beck self-destructs
ReplyDeleteAll of this raises a simple question: why now? Palin has been talking drivel since the day she walked onto the national stage. And Beck's bona fides as a paranoid nut case are beyond reproach.
It is a measure of the right wing's intellectual bankruptcy and dishonesty that Palin and Beck have been lionized for so long.
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/news/115425-sarah-palin-wilts-as-glenn-beck-self-destructs/
Uncle Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteI need some good news. When will there be any breakthroughs such as you alluded to last week?
I'm with Jolly Roger. I look forward to the day when political candidates have to submit a brain scan along with their medical records.
ReplyDeleteI would lay money down that parts of Quitty's brain just do not function like an intelligent, moral person.
I think people are forgetting that the week the new Congress was wasting time publicly reading the constitution on the taxpayer's dime, the implications of their reading it was stoking and inciting violence for tea baggers and right wingers and may have been the thing that put Jared Loughner over the top and go on his shooting spree. Some of his YouTube rants were constitution related.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm saying is yes, schools should let students read the constitution , but the curriculum should not have some sort of hidden agenda, nor should it be interpreted or used to accused to declare other items or issues or laws unconstitutional.
and Wasilla High is the best high school in the valley. teens flock there from colony for the honors programs
ReplyDeleteNo problem with this idea, per se. Interesting, however, that far right wingers didn't have this great love of and concern for their beloved Constitution when George W. Bush was President. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThese are the very basis of a free society, to appreciate your freedom, decide how to serve your country, worship the way you want to or not, protect your bedroom and family planning privacy and accept or reject free press publishings.
ReplyDeleteWhen 'leaders' like Sarah Palin and Wes Keller try and make you fear for these already protected rights and try and force a kind of indoctrination - you are sliding down that slippery slope. Who is threatened here? Their narrow definition of what their ideal sense of Americanism is. Faith, Country and a lack of women's health options.
This guy's an obviousl a-hole, but if he's serious about having Wasilla kids learn about the constitution, maybe they could get someone who taught Constitutional Law to come and lecture. Unfortunately, Barak Obama is a little bit busy right now. Otherwise, I'm sure he's love to school the children are at Wasilla High (and Willow who by all accounts has dropped out to be "home schooled"). Any parent who also needs a refresher should sit in.
ReplyDeleteisnt that what schools are supposed to teach?
ReplyDeleteFirst graders learn the presidents song and to this day (30 years later) I still remember all the president in order because of it
When I was in 3rd grade, one day we weren't allowed to enter the classroom (planned activity) until we all not only recited the Preamble but the bill of rights as well.
The thing about AKan schools is, most teens are so deadset in leaving AK that they stop caring. Some move to CA, AZ, WA during high school. The valley has a very high transfer rate among all the schools.
The good news is, there are dedicated students. I occasionally fb stalk Willow's friends. most of her friends seem to be overachievers, mentioning
why they transferred to Wasilla from Colony, and always seem enthusiastic about school. All strongly desire graduating early as public high school life generally sucks, but they are of the better class of people. But remember, the Palins are family friends with the people who have hgher social statuses. Track didnt have school issues and he graduated on time. Bristol only started having problems when she became friends with Levi's groups. (when she started high school)
Even up until fall 07, W and B were honor students.
you need to have more faith in Wasillans and fellow Valley kids.
This is a ploy by Sarah Palin to make her self look good. She is using Rep Keller to promote this agenda. This is to up her one in the education department when it comes to being an advocate for education.
ReplyDeleteCivics class was mandatory when I was in school...
ReplyDeleteAs much as I am against national standards and federal regulation, I think education is the one area that needs not only intense federal regulation as well as each state needs specific requirements, and enforcers need to not balk at their responsibility.
ReplyDeleteYes by the time every kid reaches 6th grade they need to know these things you described. Repetitive teaching in a methodical way is best. But these days, people become teachers who fail at whatever they got a degree in. This happens WAAAAY too often. Not to say most/or any of these people are bad teachers but not having to pass a comprehensive teaching exam and take core courses in education is hurting the country.
Then again, you can lead a horse to water...
Kids learn at their own rate. All a teacher can do with put info out there, try to make it interesting and hope important parts are retained. I've determined that toddlers generally learn the best.There is a preschool (ages 2-4) in Brooklyn that teaches Greek history, world religion, and kids versions of most classic book. The school is also composed of 4 classrooms inside a church/theatre. It's not where you attend, it's what YOU bring to the chalkboard. And if you're not ready, no one can lead you to the desk
Back in the day, we had to take "Americanism vs Communism" as part of the 12th grade schedule. By the time my kids reached high school, in a different state, "Civics" was an elective you could take any time in high school.
ReplyDeleteDid it occur to anyone that the *STUPID* tests instituted by the No Child Left Behind has actually eliminated classes like Civics? There's no room in the day for that, art, music, and numerous other things that round out an individual.
As for the good rep, Civics needs to be taught a lot younger than a requirement to graduate. How about proposing a course at each level, elementary, middle and high school.
After all, it's not like you're actually doing anything once you've taken those annual tests.
I say, let them do it.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the kids will notice that the politicians that made them take this test don't have a clue what the test material even means.
You're missing their point Gryphen. They want to teach a particular view of the Constitution, not what you and I learned in school.
ReplyDeleteKids should know US History and the Constitution, but these are not the people to teach it. I understand conservatives are developing social studies curriculum and pushing to have it adopted nationwide, something like they've done with creationism.
Study the U.S. Constitution, you betcha. I think that is a grand idea. Bring back civics.
ReplyDeleteThis is for the Department of Unintended Consequences.
Believe me, they won't become venom-spewing fools.
Gryph - usually agree with you, but as someone in higher ed, yes, this is necessary. The misinformation out there about what the Constitution REALLY says, and what our rights really are is pretty unbelievable.
ReplyDeletePS, how can we send you something privately - nothing secret or earth shattering, just a connection to something I heard on the news last night, that you might want to get a column out of.
Even better, Alaskan students who have studied the U.S. Constitution and civics will really be able to spot frauds like . . . "the Brand" and minions.
ReplyDelete"They won't have time to reflect upon it, debate and discuss it, or have it mean anything. It will be reduced to a means to an end. Period."
ReplyDeleteDoesn't necessarily follow - and depends on the kids. There are those who will only be capable of rote memorization - there are those who will ask and question and interpret and infer - but that can't happen if they don't know the document to begin with. And yes - some states (mine) certainly had a US govt requirement and a Constitution test - IIRC, 7th grade (too early, I think) and another in JR year H.S.
Your argument that it keeps students from getting a diploma is specious - I mean after all, algebra keeps some kids form getting a diploma as does reading and understanding Shakespeare, or writing a simple five paragraph essay - so let's just drop English and math requirements, too. That diploma needs to mean something, Gryph.
That said, is it that you see the HS diploma as entry to the job market - thus HS education = job training and it's a gate to employment? If that's the case, then an alternative would be to make the Constitution test a requisite for voting privileges - much more relevant and a hoop we make immigrants pass through every day on their citizenship test.
Here in Illinois, public high school students are REQUIRED to take a Fundamentals of Government class - with a passing grade - in order to graduate. Do that instead of adding another test. Works for us...
ReplyDeleteBTW - I'd like to see Willow & Piper take, and pass, that test.
Teachers are instructed nowadays to "Teach to the Test." If the district performs well via testing, they get more money. And a brownie button. If they don't... then they lose funding and lay-off teachers and close schools.
Maybe rather than this idea they should have a course that teaches them the difference between democrats and republicans.Now kids if you become a republican you can cheat lie and steal and if anyone calls you on it you can accuse them of being anti-American commies.Greatest political party ever,wife gets cancer?No problem dump her on her death bed.Get caught with your hand in the cookie jar,just deny and claim executive priviledge.Caught with an under age male intern cry a little,promise not to do it again and life goes on.Enjoy guilt free living.
ReplyDeleteI think kids should know the Constitution, but not just rote memory of 'rights.' For this to have positive impact, they need to understand the context of the document and how it is entirely predicated on citizens also taking 'responsibility' for their actions for their country. Like all Tea Baggers, Keller is obsessively focused on rights with no regard to the responsibilities implied in having those rights--like understanding the consequences of hate speech before exercising the right of free speech or understanding the consequences of plunging the country into a false war before voting for a war without fully verifying all the facts.
ReplyDeleteJust once it would be refreshing for one of these idiots to promote education on Constitutional responsibilities of citizens instead of crying about their 'rights' all the time.
Can we please have a test on the constitution that anyone wanting to run for governmental office needs to pass? And while we're at it, can they please be required to have their high school and college transcripts officially released? After all, they're applying for a job and we're the ones doing the hiring. We ought to be able to see what we're really getting.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yeah, I'm lookin' at you, Sarah.
Hey Anonymous 6:26 since you mentioned that you are "higher Ed" maybe you could figure out how to send Gryphen a private little note.
ReplyDeleteGotta say, G, I am with the educators on this. It's just that it shouldn't be taught by Teabaggers. The ACLU would be my choice!
ReplyDeleteProblem is that should any one of the Palins, including parents and children, attempt this test, they'd all fail. Keeping this not as a requirement might get Willow a GED.
ReplyDeleteat Anonymous 2:32am
ReplyDeleteI don't have any heartache with this. Kids should know the US and Alaska Constitutions.
But what has to be remembered is that this is a bill by a Repugnat and we saw what they did in allowing the reading of the Constitution in the House of Reps.
Many sections of the actual text were omitted because the pages were stuck together (I will not even allude to the fact that they are making it appear like a cheap porn rag)...
If they are allowed to pick and choose what is taught to kids they will also dictate what parts of the truth that are taught and how.
Simple comparison is to how theory of evolution has been attacked and denigrated despite its basis in actual science over the crackpot belief of a non science based creative design that they will not even amend and allow factual information to change the basic hypothesis.
I dont mind kids learning facts I just want the teachers to teach based on the premise of history and the sciences and not personal beliefs and dogma.
The simple fact is that education needs to be left to educators and not to legislators for a political agenda. There are far better things they could be doing like making all of our lives easier by creating a few jobs.
I graduated from High School in Illinois and we had to pass the US Constitution and State Constitution tests to graduate. We even had to take the tests in order to graduate from Junior High.
ReplyDeletehttp://sarahpalinhasaserpentsheart.blogspot.com/
Breaking news! John Kyle, Senator for Arizona will not run for re-election in 2012~
ReplyDeleteA Palin coup?
Actually... Missouri requires passing a Constitution Test in both College and High School for one's degree/diploma.
ReplyDeletePretty standard, and if you don't pass, you just take it over and over again until you do. But it ensures that everyone is familiar with the actual constitution and the history of it, along with the basic rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
If more states had been doing this, maybe there would be less evangelical interpretations and emphasis on freedom "OF" religion, not "FROM" religion.
Then again, that also actually requires teachers who... you know... know about the document too...
I took a mandatory class when I was a Senior in High School; it was called US Government. We also took one as Juniors that touched on Constitution quite frequently; it was called US History.
ReplyDeleteHey Gryph and friends: check out Tom Chapin's "It's Not on the Test":
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dAujuqCo7s
and, just for fun, "Go Away Sarah Palin" !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC4N5wkp2Ug&feature=related
And of course Palin would have flunked it.
ReplyDeleteI certainly think legislators should be tested for state and federal constitutions and law.
ReplyDeleteGryph, it's Johns, with an s, Hopkins. Another fyi from a former English teacher. Good job, by the way.
ReplyDelete