School Board wants to cut program over fear it may be "anti-American"

[The Straight Story]

Controversy Over USC School Program Continues

POSTED: 11:16 am EST February 17, 2006
UPDATED: 6:16 pm EST February 17, 2006
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UPPER SAINT CLAIR, Pa. -- The Upper Saint Clair school board wants to cut the International Baccalaureate program from its schools.

More than 600 students are enrolled in the IB program, which gives students a chance for intensive study on a wide range of international issues.

The school board wants to cut the program for fear that it may be "anti-American."

Parents and students gathered on Thursday night to try to save the program. Many parents said they think the board is rushing its decision.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/7153828/detail.html

[acmejack]

1. Now this is a true shame..

We have become a Country of Xenophobic dingbats.

[marmar]

2. Oh Good Grief...

This country gets more batshit crazy by the minute. How is the international baccalaureate Un-American? What kooks!

[zonmoy]

28. not very long

until our country goes "where are we, what are we doing in this handbasker, and why is it so damn hot".

[FatDave]

31. I think a better description is...

No wait, you're right. Batshit crazy. Nevermind.

[RC]

3. Un American? Yeah it must be. It involves better than average

education for some of the more driven. Can't be having that now can we?

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. What's next? Banning the International House of Pancakes?

I can't believe that they would punish students by eliminating a program that will help them get into better colleges, just because of some paranoid, unfounded suspicion that the class might provoke the kids to think.

[tsuki]

8. IHOP? They're gonna ban IHOP? Oh, woe is me.

:evilgrin:

[philosophie_en_rose]

10. They're renaming it MIHOP.

:evilgrin:

[Nevilledog]

17. That made me spit my Dr. Pepper all over the place....LOL n/t

[tsuki]

21. You, you...I'll never pass an IHOP now with thinking it is the MIHOP.

:rofl:

[RagingInMiami]

11. Well how American can they be?

They do sell French Toast, after all.

[philosophie_en_rose]

20. That's freedom toast to you.

:)

[Maraya1969]

35. LOL.....That really made me laugh out loud. Thanks!

[countingbluecars]

5. The fundies have obviously

taken over that school board. They are carrying out their agenda.

[CatholicEdHead]

6. Yep, the best thing is anything and everything that is American

and of course pro-Bush.

:sarcasm:

[Kerrytravelers]

7. So, learning about perspective other than American makes you

against America?

Cookoobananas logic.
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[punpirate]

9. Typical of television reporting these days...

... especially at the local level. Report a controversy, but not one single reason for it. Why not just ask a school board member why they think an international studies program is "anti-American?"

[The Straight Story]

12. Here is a link to Keep the Upper Saint Clair IB Program petition/web site

http://www.keepib.org/index.php?id=faq

The Faq with a lot more info
http://www.keepib.org/index.php?id=faq#57371

[punpirate]

16. That's fine... but I'm just referring to the reporting...

... if the claims presented in the FAQ are the bone of contention for the school board, then why isn't there some mention of them, even in the text summary of the story on the website? I guess my point here is that the claim of "anti-American" content by the board is let stand here as a conclusion, without any supporting argument, nor counter-argument. That is why I see this as typical reportage--it doesn't describe the controversy in at any level of detail--rather, it merely states that there is one.

Cheers.

[PA Democrat]

24. Here is a little more info from a local newspaper:

Upper St. Clair school board member Dr. Mark G. Trombetta said at Monday's meeting that the International Baccalaureate Organization has ties to Earth Charter, a group that supports the equitable distribution of wealth, or Marxism.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06047/656217.stm

I heard about this on a local talk radio show in Pittsburgh, and it seems that part of the motivation is thought to be that these new school board members are retaliating against supporters of the program who had campaigned AGAINST them in the recent election.

[The Straight Story]

13. "Attempts to undermine christian religious values and national sovereignty

http://www.keepib.org/f/ib_facts_vs_myths.pdf

[Selatius]

14. Thinking kids are BAD KIDS. Fruit of knowledge is bad.

Lord, we wouldn't want our kids asking questions, would we? No! We demand obedience! Say it! One nation UNDER GOD! SAY IT NOW! :sarcasm:

[Solo_in_MD]

15. One of my daughters did the IB thing

Serious over hyped. That does not excuse the school board for being dumb...

[PA Democrat]

18. The people on this school board are right-wing nut cases

They ran afoul with the ACLU when they first tried to ban students and district employees from any political activity. They also said the program is in contradiction to the district's "Judeo-Christian values".

The newly elected Upper St. Clair school board is embroiled in its second controversy in as many weeks, this time over an internationally recognized academic program that may be eliminated and one that some board members have characterized as anti-Christian.

Last week, the district backed down on a proposed policy change that would have restricted political activity for employees and students. The proposal drew the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which had threatened legal action over what it saw as restrictions on students' right to free speech.

The latest controversy is over the district's International Baccalaureate program, an intensive course of instruction available to students in elementary, middle and high school. At the high school level, International Baccalaureate courses provide academic preparation for college in a wide range of subjects, including modern languages, math, social science, experimental sciences and the arts.

But one school board member said the program should be eliminated because it's not cost-effective. Another says he believes it goes against traditional Judeo-Christian values. Another said it could be considered anti-American and is associated with groups that support Marxism.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06047/656217.stm

[CatholicEdHead]

22. More on the last paragraph

"Upper St. Clair school board member Dr. Mark G. Trombetta said at Monday's meeting that the International Baccalaureate Organization has ties to Earth Charter, a group that supports the equitable distribution of wealth, or Marxism."

So any movement towards a leveling of the playing field with wealth distribution is "Marxism"? I also see lots of code words in your last paragraph.

[PA Democrat]

26. This is also one of the wealthiest school districts in the state

I guess some of the school board members are threatened by the thought of kids becoming socially conscious of the poor and disadvantaged in this country and throughout the world.

[Richard Steele]

39. Someone needs to tell them that Fearless Leader supports the IB program!

Here's a longer story, from Saturday:
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/13906163.htm

QUOTE:
"The program was cited by President Bush
during the State of the Union address last month,
when he called for AP and IB programs to be expanded
to low-income students
by training 70,000 more teachers in math and science courses."

[TahitiNut]

19. "For God's sake, keep 'em stupid!!"

Literally. :eyes:

[Blue_Tires]

34. that's exactly what they want

a small, complacent, uninformed and ignorant future electorate--and in many places, they are making great strides in bringing this plan about.....


stop the world; i want to get off!

[depakid]

23. Ignorant, ethnocentric Americans

The only globalization most dumb-asses in this country get is having their well paying jobs sent overseas- and their labor standard cut at home. I find it very difficult to feel sorry for some folks-

[jsamuel]

25. I graduated from an IB program. My study of European/US/Latin American

History has been of great benefit to my understanding of the world. If only everyone studied these histories with such intensity, we would be in a much better place.

[sakabatou]

27. WTF is worng with them?

[Obamarama]

29. OK..that's it. Goin' to bed. Each thread is getting more bizzare....

Just when you think you've "heard it all" you click on a thread whose content sounds more ridiculous than the previous one. Can't take it any more. Going to bed. NOW.

[LizW]

30. People, we should pay serious attention to who gets on schools boards.

Letting a bunch of wackadoos get on your school board can cause serious problems.

[Bozita]

32. Knowledge is dangerous, and we wanna be safe.

Schools should concentrate on preparing students for lawn care and Walmart jobs.

Ignorance will surely keep us safe.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. Simply ridiculous

So they don't like learning about other places in the world? Just more George Bush propoganda? Forget learning about other people? Ugh. I'm glad the parents are protesting.

[NMMNG]

36. The xenophobia in this country is getting obnoxious

What's next, banning ethnic restaurants because they are "anti-American"? :eyes:

People are getting really stupid with this "anti-American" stuff.

[RamboLiberal]

37. 5 SOB's voted tonight to abolish the program 5-4 vote

Local TV station KDKA was showing some of the meeting. So many showed up - most supporting the program - they had an overflow crowd. They showed kids in audience crying and screaming at the abolishment. Banners and posters supporting the program. Parents are promising lawsuits in the morning. Bet they can't wait to vote these 5 fools off the board ala Dover.

[RPM]

38. well - maybe those rich fucks need to realize that bible thumpers make bad

school boards.

Assholes. Them and bethel park can fucking rot for all i care. Assholes.