
Commentary
-
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
One of my favorite websites to visit is symptomchecker.com. On that site, I can type in my “symptom” – say, I’m tired – and discover that either I need a cup of coffee, or I’m dying.
Diagnoses, it turns out, should not be made by Dr. Google. They should be made by doctors.
It’s the same with education. I mean I certainly care about my children’s education, I inform myself about what they’re learning, but I’m not shooting off emails to their teachers telling them what “I” think they should be doing in the classroom.
I mean I’m entitled to an opinion – and, of course, if something egregious happens it should be addressed – but I’d rather leave the educating to people who spent years and years training in education.
Seriously. Have you seen how the kids do long division these days? I am so happy that someone else is responsible for handling that.
Some members of the GOP, alas, disagree with this approach. Republican state lawmakers across the US are introducing bills that would require teachers to post all their materials online so that parents can review them.
Now, let’s not pretend that this is a simple case of “What? Parents deserve to know what’s going on!”
Of course, parents deserve to know what’s going on. Classroom materials aren’t like secrets that teachers are keeping. You want to know what’s in To Kill A Mockingbird? Go read it, and if something in the curriculum conflicts with your ideologies or personal belief structure, have a conversation with your child’s teacher. They’ll probably try to work with you. But again that is not what this is about.
At the heart of these bills is the suggestion that something nefarious is happening, something that schools don’t want parents to see. And it’s rooted in a culture war that teachers should not be dragged into.
Do you remember my segment on Critical Race Theory and how it’s not actually being taught in schools, but it’s being used as sort of a way for parents to grasp at any indicator that – gasp – the realities of systemic racism are being taught to our children?
Well, posting every detail of a curriculum essentially invites parents to look for more things to complain about, and these bills even open up avenues for parents to sue schools if they don’t like what they see.
Here’s what these bills are about. They’re about trying to get teachers to stop educating their students about matters of race and gender. They’re about trying to get teachers to present “impartial” about opinions things like the Holocaust, or slavery, or LGBTQ rights. It’s about censorship. That’s it.
Oh, and of course it also adds to the workload of teachers who are already taxed beyond belief.
And also – quick product plug for my new book – deserve presents like The Big Activity Book for Teacher People, not disrespect.
One lawmaker even supports a requirement for teachers to wear body cameras. The invasiveness of this is truly astonishing, and, were it to be implemented, would almost certainly lead to resignations.
We need more teachers, not fewer, and the way to keep this most important of professions filled with the very best talent is to treat teachers with decency, respect, and autonomy.
You want your kids to hold a specific opinion that you yourself share? You should totally talk to them about it. It’s called parenting. Let the teachers teach.
-
It’s not about safety. It’s about silencing political dissent.
On March 8, U.S. federal agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian rights activist and legal resident. The Trump administration did not accuse him of any crime but targeted him specifically for his political speech. In justifying the move, Trump and senior officials argued that Khalil’s arrest and deportation were enabled and justified by U.S. foreign… -
Yes, Trump is putting your Social Security at risk
U.S. federal agencies have begun cutting staff and operations to implement President Trump’s calls for the large-scale reduction and elimination of certain government functions. Among other initiatives, Trump has said he will sign an executive order to initiate the complete shutdown of the Department of Education, the Department of Veterans Affairs aims to cut 80,000… -
Trump disgraces Oval Office with shameful treatment of Zelenskyy
On Feb. 28, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office of the White House in a televised state visit that escalated into an argument and ended with Zelenskyy’s abrupt departure. The purpose of the visit, ostensibly, was to formalize an agreement for continued U.S. support of Ukraine in its… -
RFK Jr.’s war on psychiatric meds risks decades of progress
On Feb. 18, during his first meeting with staff, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that he intends to address the possible overmedication of children and the risks of antidepressants — echoing a Trump executive order aimed at reducing childhood chronic disease rates. The order has sparked concerns over youth access… -
Loss of USAID makes America and the world less safe
Elon Musk and President Trump shocked the U.S. foreign policy community and America’s partners around the world with the early and abrupt closure of USAID, the United States Agency for International Development. USAID was a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and consistently received bipartisan support from Congress. Experts warned that the decision puts millions of…
Latest Opinions
-
Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images
Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing delayed amid dueling motions
-
Tasos Katopodis/Stringer via Getty Images
Appeals court rules against Trump in Kilmar Abrego Garcia case
-
Al Pereira/Getty Images Sport
Aaron Rodgers upset about Jets meeting, still undecided on playing future
-
Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Who will make a surprise run in the East?
-
Getty Images
Supreme Court to hear arguments on Trump’s birthright citizenship plan
Popular Opinions
-
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.