Former US Secretary of Education, Bill Bennett, is no liberal; in fact, he has been a voice of conservatism (albeit moderate) for years.
His recent article and commentary in Forbes Magazine (F Opinion) about the Common Core Standards and the wild accusations of Common Core opponents is worth reading.
Of note, he says: “A quick survey of other Common Core-related myths in print include accusations that the Common Core variously promotes left wing ideology, racism, white privilege, global warming, Obamacare, Communism, sexually explicit materials, and so on.
None of these accusations is true to the Common Core.
Again, if such materials are being used in a classroom, they are the product of decisions made by teachers, principals and local school boards. Concerned parents should address their anger at the parties responsible.”
Bennett specifically points to one of the wildest accusations was made by FoxNews article with the eye-catching headline, “High School: Islamic vocabulary lesson part of Common Core standards.” The article says, “Parents in Farmville, North Carolina want to know why their children were given a Common Core vocabulary assignment in an English class that promoted the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith.”
Anyone who implements even a small dose of critical thinking to this FoxNews report will quickly conclude that it is totally bogus.
But trash like that is out there – and people listen to it and actually believe it!
The American people deserve better!
As Bennett concluded in his article, “It is time for integrity and truth in this debate. The issue of honest standards of learning for our children is too important to be buried in an avalanche of misinformation and demonization.”
Come on, FoxNews! You can do better than that.
~ CCJ