Let the Indoctrination of our children begin

[Plazoo]

By Joshua Rhett Miller
FOXNews.com

A suggested lesson plan that calls on school kids to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help President Obama is troubling some education experts, who say it establishes the president as a "superintendent in chief" and may indoctrinate children to support him politically.

Obama will deliver a national address directly to students on Tuesday, which will be the first day of classes for many children across the country. The address, to be broadcast live on the White House's Web site, was announced in a letter to school principals last week by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Obama intends to "challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning," Duncan wrote. Obama will also call for a "shared responsibility" among students, parents and educators to maximize learning potential.

But in advance of the address, the Department of Education has offered educators "classroom activities" to coincide with Obama's message.

Students in grades pre-K-6, for example, are encouraged to "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."

Teachers are also given guidance to tell students to "build background knowledge about the president of the United States by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama."

During the speech, "teachers can ask students to write down key ideas or phrases that are important or personally meaningful."

For grades 7-12, the Department of Education suggests teachers prepare by excerpting quotes from Obama's speeches on education for their students to contemplate -- and ask as questions such as "Why does President Obama want to speak with us today? How will he inspire us? How will he challenge us?"

Activities suggested for after the speech include asking students "what resonated with you from President Obama's speech? What lines/phrase do you remember?"

Obama announced his intention to deliver the address to students during an interview with Damon Weaver, a middle school student from Florida who gained a following of his own last year on the campaign trail for his interviews of high-profile figures.

The Department of Education is using the president's address to kick off a video contest titled, "I Am What I Learn," in which students are invited to submit videos of up to two minutes on the importance of education in achieving their dreams.

Obama's critics say the lesson plans and the president's calls for a "supportive community" are troubling on many levels.

"In general, I don't think there's a problem if the president uses the bully pulpit to tell kids to work hard, study hard and things like that. But there are some troubling hints in this, both educationally and politically," said Neal McCluskey, associate director of Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom.

Among the concerns, McCluskey said, is the notion that students who do not support Obama or his educational policies will begin the school year "behind the eight ball," or somehow academically trailing their peers.

"It essentially tries to force kids to say the president and the presidency is inspiring, and that's very problematic," McCluskey said. "It's very concerning that you would do that."

Parents of public school students would also have to pay for that "indoctrination," regardless of their political background, he said.

"That's the fundamental problem. They could easily be funding the indoctrination of their children."

Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, said the suggested lesson plans cross the line between instruction and advocacy.

"I don't think it's appropriate for teachers to ask students to help promote the president's preferred school reforms and policies," Hess said. "It very much starts to set up the president as a superintendent in chief."

Amid the debate on the federal government's level of involvement on issues like health care and others, Hess said, "There's a lot of people" on both sides of the political spectrum who will rightfully be concerned with the president's call to action.

"It shows exactly what the problem is," he said. "This is going to open the door to all kinds of concerns."

Letter from Arne Duncan to School administrators

K-6 grade lesson plan

Grade 7-12 lesson plan

Full Story Here

According to the letter, Darth Sidious is going to be doing a nationwide address to through whitehouse.gov and Arne Duncan is 'encouraging' all schools to have their students, k-12, watch the video then go over the lesson plans provided in an effort to have children figure out what they can do to "help the President".

The video will be aired on September 8th, so maybe that would be a good day to have your kids use one of those sick days.

[Piggy]

According to the letter, Darth Sidious is going to be doing a nationwide address to through whitehouse.gov and Arne Duncan is 'encouraging' all schools to have their students, k-12, watch the video then go over the lesson plans provided in an effort to have children figure out what they can do to "help the President".

I think it's a great idea. My first grader is much more intelligent than Obama.

Here's an idea, send him a copy of the constitution. Have him read it and give him a test.

He wants to encourage responsibility? Since when? I'm paying to bail out banks, pay off my neighbors mortgage, my grandkids are paying down payments for cars in the 'cash for clunkers' program. Now he wants me to pay for everyones health insurance???

I would have no problem if he wanted to address the school kids nationwide, tell them to stay in school and have a great year. But to be part of the lesson plan, have my kids help with his ideas and all the other BS? F' em.

[4goods]

The whole thing, to me, STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN!!!

My understanding of what I've read already is that his televised speech is being geared towards the importance of studying hard, getting good grades, setting goals, etc...

SINCE WHEN, I ask, is it the responsibility of the President of the United States to teach that lesson to children???????? THAT LESSON MY FRIENDS....is the lesson WE AS PARENTS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR, and secondly that we pay our teachers to do. NOT THE PRESIDENT!!!

Personally, I've already placed emails and phone calls to the superintendent of the school system and the principals of the schools that my children attend to find out if this will be part of their curriculum on 9/9. OF COURSE, I still have not heard a word and it's now going on two full days!

My suggestion for the President is to take the time he is wasting on this effort and put it to much wiser use. There are much bigger fish to fry!:mad:

[Plazoo]

My suggestion for the President is to take the time he is wasting on this effort and put it to much wiser use. There are much bigger fish to fry!:mad:

What's considered a wise use of time can be subjective. For example, if you're a power hungry radical, who wants to ensure that the policies you implement are continued and you have the unquestioning obedience of the coming generation, getting the children (our future) to follow your ideology seems like a very wise use of time.

[4goods]

What's considered a wise use of time can be subjective.

You are absolutely correct! I should have been more explicit with my perspective of subjectiveness. :p

For example, if you're a power hungry radical, who wants to ensure that the policies you implement are continued and you have the unquestioning obedience of the coming generation, getting the children (our future) to follow your ideology seems like a very wise use of time.

So true! ;)

[ChevySSP]

I saw this story on Fox today and it made my blood run cold.


This is nothing short of subliminal messaging of propaganda that is working to turn Obama into the Czar of the US.

[CityOfChicago]

Take a look at these images - they are more right than you may realize.

Commisar Obama

Obama Army

Support Obama

[Plazoo]

Fox News

The Obama administration is rethinking its course recommendations for students ahead of President Obama's address to the the nation's schoolchildren next week, rewriting its suggestions to teachers for student assignments on how to "help the president."

White House aides said the language was supposed to be an inspirational, pro-education message to America's youths, but its unintended consequences were evident.

Among the activities initially suggested for pre-K to 6th grade students was to "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."

Another assignment for students after hearing the speech was to discuss what "the president wants us to do."

The suggestion about writing letters has since been changed to: "Write letters to themselves about how they can achieve their short-term and long-term education goals. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals."

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said the changes to the language are intended to make the lesson plans clearer. He added that the speech is not a policy speech, but is intended to encourage kids to work hard and commit to school.

The speech is "about the value of education and the importance of staying in school as part of his effort to dramatically cut the dropout rate," Vietor said.

The Washington Times was first to report Thursday that the plan was being reconsidered. Presidential aides also acknowledged to the newspaper that they helped the U.S. Education Department write the suggested assignments, which stirred criticism by many who say Obama is trying to indoctrinate the education system.

Read Full Story Here

[CityOfChicago]

Ba-KAW!

[MOCOP]

Take a look at these images - they are more right than you may realize.

Ain't that the truth!!!!

Replace " Dear Leader" with the word President in any of those "suggested" questions and I flash on Communist Political Indoctrination classes.

Won't matter much to my daughter she's going fishing with Dad, since her school is refusing to return my phone calls or answer my questions on whether or not they will be viewing the "Dear Leaders" address to a captive audience of school children.

[Creeker]

...Won't matter much to my daughter she's going fishing with Dad, since her school is refusing to return my phone calls or answer my questions on whether or not they will be viewing the "Dear Leaders" address to a captive audience of school children.

There you go.

Teach a kid to fish, they can feed themselves for a lifetime. :cool:

The purpose that the WH gave (in an earlier post) to help kids stay in school is all kinds of BS. They got caught and questioned, just like they've been doing quite a bit, lately.

[Brendon]

Newt Gingrich: 'Every child' should read speech - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com

Laura Bush okay with speech



Even Newt Gingrich is a pinko commie, and the former first lady. How shameful.

[Plazoo]

Newt Gingrich: 'Every child' should read speech - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com

Laura Bush okay with speech



Even Newt Gingrich is a pinko commie, and the former first lady. How shameful.

Holy moley, Brendon. It's not the speech itself that people had issues with, it was the "study packet" that was included, that asks children to think about what they could do to "help the president" and other questionable issues, that caused the stink.

[CityOfChicago]

Try not to choke on the Kool-Aid......

[Brendon]

Holy moley, Brendon. It's not the speech itself that people had issues with, it was the "study packet" that was included, that asks children to think about what they could do to "help the president" and other questionable issues, that caused the stink.

There was plenty of talk about the speech itself being 'indoctrinating' which is exactly why it was posted before it was given.