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Subscribe to RSSPublic high school students in the nation’s capital may soon be able to graduate without taking a single U.S. government course.
The D.C. State Board of Education proposed changes to the graduation requirements in December that would require students to take more physical education, art and music courses instead.
The proposal, put forward to combat declining graduation rates in the District, where fewer than two-thirds of high school students earn a diploma, would also require students to write a thesis and raise the total number of required credits in D.C. public schools from 24 to 26 -- more than students need to earn diplomas in many other states, according to the National Center for Graduation Statistics.
Some of the new requirements -- specifically nixing the need for a government course -- have drawn the ire of advocates for civics education.
Patrick Mara, who represents Ward 1 on the school board, believes a majority of the nine-member board won't back the proposal.
"This is one of those things that looks great on paper, and it's very well-intentioned, but it goes without saying that U.S. government should be a requirement in the District of Columbia," Mara said.
Mara said he would "certainly vote against" the proposal if it came to a vote anytime soon.
Other key changes to students' current graduation requirements in the proposal include making students take an additional unit of physical education, which can include organized extracurricular sports. Students would also have to do an additional 67.5 hours of physical activity each semester for all four years of high school.
In a letter to the board, an eight-person group representing several public schools in D.C. said it objected to the proposal for several reasons, including the physical activity requirement, saying it would be susceptible to fraudulent submissions for credit.
"We agree that students should be engaged in physical activity at all points of education, but the benefits of making it a graduation requirement do not outweigh the costs," the letter said. "Administering a tracking program for that level of detail of activity, especially if independent of an organization like a sports team, would be extremely burdensome."
Board members have said these specific changes were suggested in an effort to address health problems among D.C. children, including high rates of obesity and diabetes.
"I think this is an opportunity for the State Board of Education to think through what it is we're doing with these graduation requirements," Mara said. "Some of these things, while they may seem sound, are at the end of the day impacting the lives of young adults, and we need to we've brought in enough stakeholders into this discussion to have a positive impact."
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Now that is what I call stupid: if students do not study the governments of the world, how can we expect them to become world leaders? And in the Nation's capital??
O wow.. how the hell are the students supposed to know HOW the Gvmnt works..
This is just flat out wrong.
One more way they are keeping people in the dark.
littletree123-
The article says U.S. govenment course,not World.
I hope you at least took an art class
Uninformed voters in training. Gee and a democrat stronghold to boot....that's right sheeple, keep voting along, party, race, religious , etc. line's. THIS is what you voted for.
Talk about "redifining U.S. Government History"......the one way to do it is to ELIMINATE IT and just follow the Progressive path.
Next course up for consideration: "PROGRESSIVE ROOTS IN THE U.S."
Yep, keep the kids under mushrooms but LET THEM GRADUATE with courses completed in music, arts, sports (emphasis on Basketball), and recess.
Billy, really, do you think we in some manner so isolated and not part of a global environment, ignorance of how our system works or not is essential for any sane functioning citizen--to either stay home or venture out into the world.
Well of course they don't want them to study how our government works. If they are clueless, they will just go along like sheeple letting the pols get away with stripping away their rights.
what should happen is the teachers fired for not doing there job ! their job is to teach !
they dont like the results of scores and instead of making the students study harder they dumb down tests or fore go them altogether.. this is wrong and what kind of message does this send " it's ok thats what affirmative action is for to hire to give the idiots a level playing field against the students who studied and PASSED his/her classes !
This is great, no Political Science which is replaced by Art and P.E. So we will have a new generation that knows nothing about the Constitution but are proficient in making Pottery Bongs and banging little Jimmy's sister behind the track bleachers. This is how Rome started it's decline........
Calm down, people. The proposal isn't going to pass. No one's taking civics out of school. It's disappointing anyone would even put it forth as a serious proposal, but there have always been idiots out there. This is nothing new.
If you do not teach them what is supposed to happen then you can fool them more easily. Another Liberal tactic to dumb down the people so they can stay in power.
AG
By their own admission it... "looked good on paper" ...how else do you believe besides E.O.'s this kinda crap happens?
Let me guess..., they couldn't find anyone who understands government well enough to teach it in DC...
Close. They didn't want anyone who understands government voting in DC.
Sorry, just had to say this. Considering the current operation of the government, who would want to learn anything about their operation. The last few years have been the absolute lowest in getting anything of value done. All the politcos think about is how to obstruct, posture and position themselves for the next election. Altruism in the form of thinking what is best for the common American goes right out the door in favor of party politics and special interest groups that throw money at the process. We are the closest in our history of having the same corrupt system we broke away from in the 1700's. We now have a form of royalty in the executive (king), congress (parliament) and judiciary (archbishops) along with a new batch of cretins (bureaucrats) to totally suck the life out of our country.
OBAMA backs "No Moron Left Behind"!
Gang banging will also count as credit towards a HS diploma for non-English speaking Latinos!
This will render the students to the low functioning level of Ms. Feinstein as far as ignorance of the constitution is concerned. Ms. Feinstein aparently never read the constitution, or if she did, her reading comprehension is so bad she does not understand it. She also seems to not understand the words in her oath of office. I am being charitable here folks. Because if she did read constitution, and she did understand it, and she understands her own oath of office, then she is honor bound by her oath to protect the constitution from herself.
I wonder what makes people like her think they are above the law? I wonder why do people in office want to set aside the document that limits their power of office? I wonder when the people will let her know they have had enough of her and her ilk? Well, the answer to these questions and many more rest in an educated electorate and that is what is under attack here.
another dumbing down of America's future. More government control and enslavement of the uneducated.
I thought the same thing.. We as a nation have a hard enough time getting people to understand what they are voting for / against. When will they learn about how our government works? Wow just amazing..
Yes, America is dumbing down, but most of the time it's self inflicted.
Another example of those who work for a living being outnumbered by those who vote for a liveing.
and should they get their way...unarmed....
do any of you libs understand whats going on here yet?
The libs don't want voters who understand anything. If the majority of voters knew the truth, instead of what they "learn" from "reality" shows, the libs would be out in the next election. Gimme my obamaphone!!!. Hooray for King Hussein's brave new world. He is the poster child for the motto "Mediocrity in America."
They live in the nation's capital, and can't even pass a required basic government course, so it gets eliminated? It's like the rationale behind Affirmative Action, those that can't compete need to get preferential treatment to make things more fair. In this case the city is saying "sure you get free education & equal opportunity to attend but since it's too hard, you can skip it". All this does is erode future generation's sense of civic duty; kind of like our dysfunctional, misguided, political system.
Really? I realize arts/music/physical fitness are all important, but are we trying to make our youth more dumb? Hell, most can barely do math without a calculator/excel or spell without word check, let's just take away all educated thinking.
Are we going from No Child Left Behind to No Child Brought Forward?
Yes, "No Child Left Behind" is a euphemism for "Hold the Smart Kids Back"
We?...no ...the govt however....
Spelling isn't really important anymore as anything written can be done on a computer. Also, calculations aren't really the important part of math, the logic behind deriving the formula for such calculations is the important part.
What should be people's concern is the lack of a logic class.
Macdeezy: It was always about "Hold the Smart Kids Back". Smart Kids have been squeezed from both sides. One, those in power are rightfully afraid of smart people with ethics that are educated enough to change society for the better, thereby, removing their power. Two, by the schools and the "Mommies" (and "Daddies") of the precious angels that are "gifted", too, and should have the same opportunity to go to college, taking such courses as calculus, when they can barely do basic arithmetic.
Everyone: I apologize for the bitterness. I seem to be on quite a roll today. Need more happy pills to dumb myself down and accept the status-quo. My stepson sucks at math (school in general) and the school is trying to push for him and everyone else to go to college. High schools are just not preparing our children for learning at the college level. Post-secondary education has become a bit of a scam, IMHO.
A proposal opens the door for further discussion. That this one needs amendment is obvious. I agree with the requirement for physical education, but supervised in the school setting. There needs to be a balance between academics, health, and the arts. Learning the basics of our government structure and its workings in DC or anywhere else in the U.S. is essential to sound citizenship!
The dumber the populous the easier to control.
Your theory has already been proven Scooter. Look at who we elect today.
Even scarier JW is the number of them that were RE-elected, despite the fact that everythings a mess.
Now that's the point. Instead of trying something or someone new, we continue to support business as usual.
AG....Don't tell me you support this abomination...your smarter then that girl. or did i read that wrong it could be taken two ways.
Take it the second way. I was supporting your post right above mine about how stupid we all are to keep re-electing the same people year after year. I'm the one who put the check mark in it.
ga Tramp
You have to remember, this is Washington, D.C. The place the re-elected a mayor after he was filmed smoking crack with a hooker ...... and re-elected again after he was discharged from prison. I have to agree with the Board of Education on this one. Political education would be wasted on those buffoons.
Anyone want to bet $$ that this was a republican proposal? That is what they are hoping of you know the "dumbing down" of Americans................ Example: The textbook and rewriting of history controversy in schoolbooks by TexASS
Beachgirl.
Washington DC is like 90%+ African American. Republicans don't get elected to much of anything, especially things like the Public School Board.
The mind is a terrible thing to enslave, and that is what American Democratic politics is about. Your training has been completed. That is according to ex-KGB people who used such tactics on first their people and then on our academia. According to the ex-KGB, once programmed into the targeted thinking, returning to an open mind is nearly impossible.
Sorry beachgirl, this would be along the lines of a Liberal Democrat since I doubt there are to may Republicans in DC
Yeah beachgirl, I'll take that bet. How much you want to wager?
Beachgirl
Turn off your computer and stay on the beach...you know...fer sure...
There are no republicans in DC that aren't elected from the outside. DC is a BASTION of Democrat within the residency and leadership of the city.
Way too much sun beachgirl...
I went to a public high school in the early 2000's in Minnesota. We managed to fit every type of class into the curriculum including PE, Art, Music, Languages, History, Government, Shop, Home Ec, Physics, Geometry, Algebra, Biology, even geography as the base for graduation. I don't see anything in the article about funding being reduced or lack of teachers on the subject as an excuse. If kids don't 'feel like' taking those classes to graduate, then too bad, good luck surviving as a high school dropout.
Noob, well said!! I graduated in 1967 and our curriculum was pretty much the same as yours, at least we have a working knowledge of how our government works. I cannot fathom any school not teaching government civics, but Washington DC saying PE, art and music over a real education. Some school districts have suggested also eliminating cursive writing.
In the end they will be able to lead the uneducated sheep to slaughter much easier. This is the beginning of the end as we know our country.
And yes I do use spell check for any post, wish everyone would do the same.
Noob, I graduated about the same time as you. In NC the requirements to graduate were 28 credits and you could gain up to 32 @ the school I attended. Everything could be fit in if they were required more than 24 credits. I think it's a real shame that they are trying to do away with civics and it blatantly shows the informed populous just what the politicians are trying to accomplish. Revolt against your politicians EVERYONE! Vote someone new into office. Many people complain about career politicians but do nothing to change the situation when you have the chance, at the polls!
Yep soon they wont even be smart enough to say...would you like fries with that.
What are they going to teach? Rock and flaming bottle throwing? The art of Graffiti? Sing popular songs like"we will overcome"?
What are they going to teach?
Evidently,
" Weight lifting techniques to be used in prison"
"Graffiti and the proper use of spray paint"
and
" how to avoid the censures while inserting filth and killing into rap "
Gun control backed up with people control, unchecked spending, uneducated mass's...nope don't see any problems or agendas here.
Are you kidding me?.... looks good on paper?... to whom? ....not even a die hard lazy ass inept to the core, moronic fool with an I.Q of double digits , would even suggest that this looks good on paper.
Looks to me like Mara needs to get an education that actually CONTAINS education, not P.E. arts and music.
“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”
George Orwell
If they can't figure out how to have art, phys ed, music and government classes, that's the reason behind the piss-poor graduation rate.
Something about only requiring 24 credits to graduate, that's 6 classes/yr.
NRA makes its point.
Most Americans haven't a clue how our Federal Government works, three branches and their functions, the differences between the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, h@ll, some haven't a clue where Washington D.C is located and what D.C. means--lets keep dumbing down the future until there is no future, keep churning out Betas and nurture the select few Alphas, if I didn't know any better, I would say this is a right wing conspiracy to enslave our children through ignorance. Ah jeez!
from the sounds of things, if you give these clowns a map they couldn't find D.C. even though they live there.
2/3 rds don't graduate ....so make the courses easier....
Yet even then they are quite probably the intelligent ones in the room when combined with the morons that thought this up.
Wanna bet the person who proposed it is an alumni of the DC school system.
Based on some of the comments by TP members of Congress recently it looks like a number of school districts outside DC had already implemented this policy a while back.
Might want to open that jar. Your lacking something.
This is a teachers union dream. No responsibility, no accountability.
Not understanding the American system of government may make it easier for students to relate to the Tea Party. Not sure if that's a good thing.
in D.C.? nice try on a spin.
John which American government did YOU fail to get? That sounds suspiciously like straight out of "progressive" stock handbook of no need to think rather than something a Democrat is capable of coming up with on their own.
That is stupidity at it's best (well, almost. I forgot about our president). Our national rankings in math and science are in decline. Why don't we just tell the children that you don't need to go to school. This country is loosing its edge on the world scene, and through actions like this, it will continue to loose its edge. It is a shame what this great country is coming to. It won't be long before we begin saying this "once great country".
Yup. We have people in Congress who deny global warming and evolution. It almost seems like the poor quality of math & science education is an intentional ploy to cultivate new science deniers.
Jack .. there is even bigger bloc and much more dangerous to the Republic individuals who deny simple economics and do not believe in the Constitution. I can live with those who are willing to get facts about why on global warming before screaming the sky is falling because its trendy.
If this goes through, the students won't know the difference between capitalism and socialism, conservatism and liberalism. The democratic party's dream!
What leads you to believe they know now? There is no possible way the "progressive" elements could get very far in a population base that understands those 4 subjects.
Of course. because we a stupid, uninformed population. We have already done away with all other useless classes (reading, writing, math, the arts, trades/skills)
That started happening 2 generations ago ... part of the "progressive" social engineering experiment.
Strong backs and weak minds - will be the result of this.
That approach seems to fit with the "Government knows best" mindset that is growing and increasingly concerning.
For many people, the only education they will ever be exposed to on Problems of Democracy, Civics, U.S. History and World Cultures will be what they receive in K-12. These classes are critical elements in development of a healthy, minimally educated citizenry. I don't believe that this is the reason for declining graduation rates. If anything, today's students have multimedia entertaining and interactive options for learning that bring history and civics alive in a way that wasn't available for previous generations.
We had P.E.; Home Ec; wood and metal shop; art and music in addition to core math, reading, English; Social Studies, Health and Science courses plus electives. There is no reason students shouldn't be able to have a well-rounded education and academic, or technical skills training track options given the instructional tools available.
This seems more like an excuse to further lower standards, rather than parents insisting and supporting their kids achieving a basic education. You can't put "want to" in some people, but surely we've seen that lowering the standards isn't the answer. In the "real world" not everybody gets a trophy.
How stupid make more kids get a diploma by teaching them less. They already dont teach the kids anything like no basics at all/. This is like borrowing to get out of debit. democrates are so stupid.
What a BRILLIANT idea! Stop teaching US government to the children living in the nation's capital! What brainiac came up with this solution to drop out rates? Someone who's already been through the DC school system?