Deliberate Dumbing Down of America Public Education

345 In the crusade to revitalize high schools, no one has attracted more attention—or money— than Theodore R. Sizer, professor of education at Brown University and creator of Essential Schools. But as Dr. Sizer’s adherents and donations pile up, so too does research challenging the effectiveness of coalition schools. Five recent, little-publicized studies, including a five year research project sponsored by the coalition itself, suggest that Dr. Sizer’s ideas may be a lot more workable in theory than in practice.... Not since John Dewey, whose writings shaped the 20th century U.S. curriculum, has one person’s philosophy taken hold in so many classrooms, educators say. More than $100 million has poured in from education foundations and donors such as AT&T, Exxon and Citicorp. Anecdotal evidence from some coalition schools points to improved attendance rates, lower dropout rates, better test scores or more students going to college. But even coalition officials concede such evidence is spotty. They also haven’t tried to determine comprehensively whether coalition students are learning more, despite pressure to do so from some benefactors. Grant Wiggins, the coalition’s former research director, says he remains unconvinced that coalition schools are better. “It has always been my sense that it’s not better. It’s not worse; it’s just different,” explains Dr. Wiggins, who says he quit the coalition in 1988 because of “a combination of burnout and frustration.” The Noxious Nineties : c. 1995 T HE J ANUARY 1, 1995 ISSUE OF E DUCATION W EEK CARRIED AN ARTICLE BY R OBERT C. Johnston entitled “33 Religious Groups Join Riley in Seeking Greater Family Role in Schools.” Some excerpts follow: Nearly three dozen religious leaders put aside theological differences to join Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley in a holiday season declaration supporting involvement in edu cation.... …Mr. Riley added that religious leaders came to a “clear recognition” that the religious community can play a “more active and positive role” in helping parents educate their children. Ms. Doyle said the department may follow up by working with the religious organiz ations to provide instructional materials for parents. The department also hopes to provide an education guide for ministers as well as meeting space for future activities arranged by the religious groups. Asked about the political overtones of reaching out to church groups, Ms. Doyle said: “The Secretary made it clear he was not asking them to stand with him and support all (Clinton) Administration initiatives. This is about families.” [Ed. Note: Separation of church and state flies out the window when church communities plan to join government, business, parents, and schools in helping all families participate in their children’s education, and especially when the U.S. Department of Education provides religious organizations with instructional materials for parents!] 1995

I N AN ARTICLE ENTITLED “R USSIAN T EACHER R EVIEWS W ORK IN SAD 53” WHICH WAS published in the January 12, 1995 issue of The Bangor (Maine) Daily News , Brenda Seekins explains all too clearly the extent of cooperation between Russia and the U.S. in school-to-work (planned