The curriculum in our schools has been spoiled by the fact that there are too many cooks in the kitchen.  The academic agenda of the public school system is as much determined by what is politically incorrect to discuss in the schools, as it is by the basic assumptions about the academic skills necessary to survive in our society. 

It is a shame that in Social Studies and History, what one individual might find of value is determined to be unimportant or too controversial to examine because another group doesn't feel the same way or might not receive as much positive coverage.  If schools were under local control, then the overriding values held by those in the community would be considered when developing the philosophy that guides the school. 

Because some subjects have been elevated in importance in terms of academic testing, other areas for study get much less consideration because the school ranking won't be dependent on student scores in that area.  One subject that deserves so much more attention and respect is Civic Education.

Due to the current value on multiculturalism and a global world community, there has been growing support in the academic community for the International Baccalaureate world history curriculum; a program affiliated with UNESCO (To understand the true nature of the IB agenda, read the following pieces archived at The Rant.us)

http://www.therant.us/staff/nsalvato/how_secular_is_new_age_education.htm , http://www.therant.us/staff/nsalvato/further_left_than_multiculturalism.htm )

At the same time, there has been a devaluation of the importance of Civic Education; a curriculum designed to develop the student disposition to be civically active.  There is more to being civic minded than just picking up litter in the park on Saturday.  A civically disposed citizen must receive an education in Constitutional Literacy to take a discerning stand on social, economic, and political issues.

In some states, the only Civic Education that a student receives is considered part of the broader curriculum of Social Studies.  But teaching Social Studies does not require our students to examine the U.S. Constitution in a way that is necessary to be able to apply the document to current events.  Worse, not all states test Social Studies because the scores are not considered to receive federal funding.  Social Studies is becoming irrelevant in our nation's schools. 

Although the federal government will test students in Math and Science every two years as part of their National Report card with the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP, it will have been 8 years before Civics will again be tested.this is despite the extremely poor scores which resulted in l998.  It has been acknowledged that this is a problem, but unless Civics is elevated in importance, it will not receive sorely needed attention. 

Independent school systems do not have to follow a national curriculum.  Parents who send their kids to an independent school can take the time to pick and choose one that reflects their values.  More choices would increase the possibility of a much better match between a student and a school.  At least parents would have a say over whether their children are going to indoctrinated into a global agenda or learn the value of our Constitution in a Civics program.  George Washington said, "In a word, I want an American character, that the powers of Europe may be convinced we act for ourselves and not for others; this, in my judgment, is the only way to be respected abroad and happy at home." To me, choice is badly needed in the world of education.