Deliberate Dumbing Down of America Public Education

414

Dear Sir: I am writing you as an elected Trustee to the Orange County Department of Education in California regarding the STW Career Inventory and Assessments. I was asked to share this information with you because of my concerns with the STW program. Last year, I took a computer-assisted career inventory program at the local high school here in Orange County to determine what career pathway I would have been encouraged to take if I were a freshman. To my surprise, the career inventory programs encouraged me to follow a career pathway that would lead to one of the following occupations: 1) Auto Muffler Installer, 2) Plasterer and Drywall Installer, 3) Glazier, 4) Cement Mason, 5) Auto Body and Fender Repairer, 6) Railroad Brake Operator, 7) Bus Driver, and 8) Modeling. Now, let me state that I am not degrading any of these occupations. The good people of this nation who are engaged in these fields are hard working Americans who deserve our respect. My concern is that when I took this career assessment and inventory, I answered all twenty or so questions with the idea that I wanted to be a family physician practicing in the city of Santa Ana, California, where I took the career program at the local high school (where a STW program is in place). In conclusion, I wonder how many smart and talented kids from traditionally disad vantaged minority groups in this inner city are being directed into low wage and low skill jobs, instead of into professional and graduate schools. Is this the ultimate, “in-your-face” federal program that will take away liberties and freedoms from our people? Sincerely, Dr. Ken Williams W ILLIAM J. B RAUN , S R ., ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE DATED A UGUST 29, 1998 FROM C LEVE land, Ohio concerning a landmark education case, State ex rel. Stephen Rea v. Ohio Department of Edu cation . The press release discussed the successfully argued Stephen Rea court case regarding the status of certain tests and assessments being declared public records: Stephen Rea, relying on the U.S. Freedom of Information Act and the State of Ohio Availability of Public Records Law , requested copies of sensitive testing materials used on his daughter at West Branch High School, Beloit, Ohio. His continued requests fell upon deaf ears, all the way up to the State Superintendent of Schools. Rea argued that all classroom materials generated with government-funded dol lars constituted public records per se . He would be allowed to view the requested materials, but only if he agreed to sign a secrecy agreement that carried a fine and imprisonment clause if violated. On 28 August 1996, Rea filed a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court, which was accepted for trial. Rea sought judicial judgment against the Ohio Board of Education on four issues. The case was tried in mandamus . In a powerfully worded majority opinion, the Court ruled in favor of Rea and his daughter. ( State of Ohio, ex rel: Stephen Rea, et al v. Ohio Department of Education . Case No. 96–1997, in Mandamus .) Tomorrow’s battles will shift abruptly from school superintendents’ offices and De partment of Education conference rooms to State and Federal Court Chambers, where they are more likely winnable, including the recovery of reasonable fees and court costs.

“W ORKFORCE I NVESTMENT A CT P UTS A MERICA ON R OAD TO F ASCISM —H ILLARY ’ S G LOBAL Village