Shortly after the Puritans arrived on these shores they established compulsory public education because they recognized that a society could not long exist if its children were ignorant. Although schools were free, following the model of the one established in Boston by Philemon Pormont in 1635, it was not until Horace Mann in the early 18th century that the establishment of free and public education became the standard.
Mann, an abolitionist who recognized the evils of slavery, unlike some people today, argued that a republic could not long exist if its people were ignorant and that the public should invest in education as a form of protection against tyranny. It is little wonder that politicians opposed to democratic institutions would attack public education.
And public education is under attack. The elimination of programs, standards, and funds will result in an uneducated populace. But that is what autocrats want, a cowed and submissive populace, fed myths and lies about who and what we are supposed to be. The quiet removal of funding for ESL and history programs is one step towards the loss of equality and the beginning of mind control.
Prayer for the Day
Offered visions of futures we cannot imagine,
We turn aside for fear of change,
Invited to dream of a world beyond our comprehension,
We shutter with the demands made upon us.
Move us beyond familiarity with the past, O Lord,
And unbolt the doors of our minds and hearts.
In the name of the One who opens us to all possibilities,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
We’re put in a position where, we want you to learn English, but at the same time, we’re going to de-emphasize anything that will help provide you the opportunity to learn English.
Jeff Hutcheson, on elimination of program by order of the Justice Department
There’s every indication that at the state level and at the district level, there’s not going to be enforcement about following the Supreme Court cases to educate all students, but most especially language learners, in the most effective way that research has proven that works.
Kathleen Leos, director of ESL programs under President George Bush
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7