Liberal in the Land of Conservative: Is Higher Order Thinking Destroying America?

Is Higher Order Thinking Destroying America?

11:41 PM | Posted in Mark Olson

Mark Olson, Representative for District 16B, believes in a lot of things (drinking water cures cancer, diabetes is curable, evolution is false, and 'placing' your wife on the floor is acceptable conflict management) but of those "interesting" things I find something else Mark talks about particularly puzzling. This past session he spent a good deal of time trying to derail International Baccalaureate programs in the state.

While I understand it should be the mission of all people to denounce higher order thinking and intensive programs that make one analyze beyond ones own experiences, I don't understand how a man with no credentials in education and no experience beyond high school gets to be the poster child of that mission! Okay, sarcasm aside,

Here is his speech on the House Floor:

This message is on Mark's campaign web page:

International Baccalaureate
By Rep. Mark Olson

International Baccalaureate (IB) program is an internationally established education program for schools worldwide. It has already been implemented in several states, including Minnesota. This years Omnibus Education Finance bill expands this program.

Like the Profile of Learning from the 1990s, this program has come with its share of controversies.

*Is that share of controversy coming from your friends at Edwatch or someone with actual valid information? Also, does this controversy extend to the Newsweek's Top Schools in America that uses IB as one of its criteria for a "successful" school?

Based upon citizens input that:

IB curriculum undermines American principles of self-government; copies of the actual IB curriculum were formally requested from bill authors. These copies were never provided.

Question for Mark:

How does research and learning of varying people, perspectives, and governments "undermine" our principles? Are "our" principles so weak that we cannot defend them against opposing viewpoints in an educational setting?

The K-12 Finance Committee testimony involved some very passionate students, parents and educators, but there was not the necessary detail and facts to assure this will consistently be a program that preserves America. We learned that IB emphasizes writing. Others stated that it makes one think critically, and really understand the world around them. But shouldn't these points be true for all programs?

Other parents and organizations expressed concerns about this program. In the most significant case IB has been identified as promoting anti-American values and philosophies because of its curriculum (which was not provided). Tragically, researching IBO documents has shown these most serious concerns for preserving America to be true.

Question for Mark:

What are anti-American values? I value a lot of things I know you do not and I am an American as well. Am I less of an American because I have different "values" than yourself? When did "preserving" America require the stifling of opposing viewpoints?

The Mission Statement of International Baccalaureate is as follows:

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

*Now, at a cursory glance, I can understand where Mark might have a problem with IB given the fact that they are trying to create understanding among cultures. I mean who needs THAT! However, I don't see anywhere in this Mission Statement a provision to oppose the beliefs and philosophies of the United States of America. Granted, they may want to teach kids about the theories and beliefs of other governments (which I understand can be a scary thing!) but I am not certain that IB is seeking to bring down the 2nd Amendment or your right to hate gay folks.

Category: Mark Olson

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