Texas GOP Platform Explicitly Opposes Critical Thinking

[ploto]

The willingness to believe that parents' beliefs are inherently correct and should not be challenged seems to be both: (1) an attempt to ensure, in many cases, that deeply flawed but earnestly held beliefs will perpetuate themselves; and (2) completely counter to a child's seemingly inherent need or desire to question a parent's judgments.

I also wonder: if the parent's authority lies (in part) in instilling certain fixed beliefs and if teachers should not teach with a purpose to challenge fixed beliefs instilled through the proper exercise of parental authority, if the parents of children in a particular classroom have been instilled with conflicting fixed beliefs, then what? Is the next step insisting that all parents should instill the same fixed beliefs? or are some fixed beliefs more worthy of protection than others?

We all know they are only interested in protecting their fixed beliefs.

[mavs>spurs]

We all know they are only interested in protecting their fixed beliefs.

pretty ing ironic coming from someone who champions cir cision in the face of all kinds of modern information and discoveries.

pot meet kettle.

[ElNono]

Your question assumes that having 8th graders simplistic video games and crossword puzzles equals critical thinking skills, I don't agree.

If it's mere 8th graders simplistic video games and crossword puzzles, why would they "have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority"?

Sound like pretty weak/insecure parents, tbh

[Drachen]

If it's mere 8th graders simplistic video games and crossword puzzles, why would they "have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority"?

Sound like pretty weak/insecure parents, tbh

under NO CIR STANCES shall your words ever cross

[ploto]

pretty ing ironic coming from someone who champions cir cision in the face of all kinds of modern information and discoveries.

pot meet kettle.

Where did I champion cir cision? I could not care less. I have no penis. I questioned the inconsistencies of your argument.

[mavs>spurs]

I could not care less. I have no penis.

That's a pretty selfish way of looking at it, I guess we just shouldn't care about human rights or others in this country anymore.

Sorry, but I have a problem with mutilating the genitals of baby boys and girls, and any sane human being should too.

[SnakeBoy]

Mind you, I'm not defending any system that is being used today - because (as I'll touch on later) in my experience those systems aren't working.

So you're not defending the programs just criticizing those who oppose the very programs that you say are not working.

Nice job on the deconstruction btw. Omitting "and other programs" does indeed change the meaning to suit your point. I notice daily kos has taken the same approach as you on this topic.

Go Team!

[ploto]

That's a pretty selfish way of looking at it, I guess we just shouldn't care about human rights or others in this country anymore.

I am just not buying you as caring about human rights. Rather you seem to be using it to support your obsession with blaming your sexual inadequacies on your foreskin, or lack thereof.

Actually, my critical thinking compels me not to accept the assumption that Germany is somehow a bastion of human rights. Rather it is easily noted that many things are available for governments to persue to support the well being of infants, but they have chosen to target the one that is a religious rite for Jews and Muslims.

[ElNono]

So you're not defending the programs just criticizing those who oppose the very programs that you say are not working.

You're still missing scott's point... the issue isn't with opposing certain programs that, among other things, foster critical thinking...

The issue is opposing programs because they foster critical thinking...

[mingus]

I think schools should challenge the way an individual thinks. Challenging =/= changing.

[mavs>spurs]

I am just not buying you as caring about human rights. Rather you seem to be using it to support your obsession with blaming your sexual inadequacies on your foreskin, or lack thereof.

Actually, my critical thinking compels me not to accept the assumption that Germany is somehow a bastion of human rights. Rather it is easily noted that many things are available for governments to persue to support the well being of infants, but they have chosen to target the one that is a religious rite for Jews and Muslims.

i have no sexual inadequacies so far i'm too young, but no doubt i'll probably be on the little blue pill or in denial come 50 like everyone else.

personal attacks aside, human rights trump parents religious rights. bodily integrity is sacred and must be upheld.

[Wild Cobra]

The issue is opposing programs because they foster critical thinking...

Do you really believe that's what is happening?

[scott]

So you're not defending the programs just criticizing those who oppose the very programs that you say are not working.

Because I didn't go to the "If it's not 1, it must be 0!" school of logic, like you apparently did, I am capable of acknowledging we don't live in a binary world where KBE and OBE are mutually exclusive teaching methods. Ironically, anyone with a cursory set of critical thinking skills is able to recognize this.

Nice job on the deconstruction btw. Omitting "and other programs" does indeed change the meaning to suit your point. I notice daily kos has taken the same approach as you on this topic.

Since you brought up reading comprehension skills earlier in this thread, maybe you can provide an explanation of why you feel admitting "and similar programs" changes the meaning of the first half of the sentence.

Unedited, the phrase reads like this:

Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which...

There are only two ways to interpret this part of the sentence. Either:

A. We oppose...

• the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification)
• critical thinking skills
• and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which...

B. We oppose...

• the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification)
• critical thinking skills
• and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning)

which...

C. We oppose the teaching of...

• Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification)
• critical thinking skills
• and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning)

which...

or

D. We oppose the teaching of...

• Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification) that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning)
• critical thinking skills that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning_
• and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning)

which...

I actually chose to give the GOP Platform the benefit of the doubt and deconstruction to interpretation D, the most generous of the possible interpretation. In reality, it's a quite poorly written sentence. Ironically fitting.

So tell me, how does omitting "and similar programs" change the meaning of the deconstruction?

Go Team!

You never answered me before, which is my team?

[Drachen]

You never answered me before, which is my team?

Dude, you disagree with him on this one issue plus you started a thread en led "why you should vote for obama", OBVIOUSLY you are on the opposite team.

[ElNono]

Do you really believe that's what is happening?

If that's not what's happening they need to fire whoever is writing thats stuff, because that's exactly what it says...

[Wild Cobra]

I think if the blue team thinks this is appropriate education for kids in middle school then this country is ed.

http://hots.org/tour/index.html

Take the tour.

LOL...

Finally looked at that.

Here we are at home, trying to wean our kids off video games, and what are the schools doing...

[TeyshaBlue]

.....has nothing to do with the video games your kids are playing at home...

[Wild Cobra]

.....has nothing to do with the video games your kids are playing at home...

I know that. I get the idea that something fun makes learning easier. Still, to what extent is this program in use? Is it making a difference? Is it mandated or optional?

Schools these days seem to take a "one size fits all" approach. I am sick of it. I would like to see more control at the lower levels and less control at the higher levels.

[Drachen]

I know that. I get the idea that something fun makes learning easier. Still, to what extent is this program in use? Is it making a difference? Is it mandated or optional?

Schools these days seem to take a "one size fits all" approach. I am sick of it. I would like to see more control at the lower levels and less control at the higher levels.

Oh the irony especially in light of scott's participation in this thread.

[scott]

[Drachen]

If anyone thinks that we need less critical thinking, they should read this thread.

[RandomGuy]

Your question assumes that having 8th graders simplistic video games and crossword puzzles equals critical thinking skills, I don't agree.

I would say that judging from your post we need to focus more on reading comprehension skills. I would say that except I know you're smart enough to understand what the gop statement really opposes and you are just just spinning for the sake of your team.

But to play along, why do you oppose knowledge based education?

team schmeam.

Puzzle solving and strategies for games are very useful things for learning how to analyze problems, something an engineer needs.

He didn't say he opposed it from what I could see.

The reason that people from around the planet clamber to get into US schools is that they teach things like this, as opposed to mindless memorization.

Still not sure what the issue is here, though, to see what the OP is talking about.

[RandomGuy]

Actual excerpt from the Texas GOP Platform:



Interesting... tactic?

Thoughts from the forum Red Teamers?

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs...ical-thinking/

Gawd, read the whole platform. What a ing joke. Conspiracy theory and religious nutbags are obviously running the show there

The sanc y of human life, created in the image of God, which should be protected from fertilization to natural death.

“The laws of nature and nature’s God”

Preservation of Republican Form of Government - We support our republican form of government in Texas as set forth in the Texas Bill of Rights and oppose Initiative and Referendum. We also urge the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress to enact legislation prohibiting any judicial jurisdiction from allowing any subs ute or parallel system of Law, specifically foreign Law (including Sharia Law), which is not in accordance with the U.S. or Texas Cons utions.

Gotta keep that sharia law out.

The Rights of a Sovereign People - The Republican Party of Texas supports the historic concept, established by our nations’ founders, of limited civil government jurisdiction under the natural laws of God, and repudiates the humanistic doctrine that the state is sovereign over the affairs of men, the family and the church.

Rights Versus Products -- We oppose calling welfare and other income and product redistribution schemes “rights” or “en lements”. We know that fundamental human rights are inherent to individuals and are granted by God

Family and Defense of Marriage ― We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman

Pornography ― We encourage the enforcement of laws regarding all forms of pornography, because pornography is detrimental to the fabric of society.

Good luck on that.

RU 486 - We urge the FDA to rescind approval of the physically dangerous RU-486 and oppose limiting the manufacturers’ and distributors’ liability.
Morning After Pill - We oppose sale and use of the dangerous “Morning After Pill.”

UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child ― We unequivocally oppose the United States Senate’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

um, what?

Caring for Our Mentally Disabled Citizens ― We urge the Legislature to continue funding and operating all state-supported living centers for the mentally disabled, increase training standards of state-supported living center employees, and ensure efficient funding and quality of service.

how will this be paid for, exactly?

American Iden y Patriotism and Loyalty – We believe the current teaching of a multicultural curriculum is divisive. We favor strengthening our common American iden y and loyalty instead of political correctness that nurtures alienation among racial and ethnic groups. Students should pledge allegiance to the American and Texas flags daily to instill patriotism.

Controversial Theories – We support objective teaching and equal treatment of all sides of scientific theories. We believe theories such as life origins and environmental change should be taught as challengeable scientific theories subject to change as new data is produced. Teachers and students should be able to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these theories openly and without fear of retribution or discrimination of any kind.

Teach the controversy... blech. Because the origin of life is so up in the air with real scientists...


Here is the OP's bit:

Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.

Judeo-Christian Nation – As America is a nation under God founded on Judeo-Christian principles, we affirm the cons utional right of all individuals to worship in the religion of their choice.
Safeguarding Our Religious Liberties – We affirm that the public acknowledgement of God is undeniable in our history and is vital to our freedom, prosperity and strength. We pledge our influence toward a return to the original intent of the First Amendment and toward dispelling the myth of separation of church and state. We urge the Legislature to increase the ability of faith-based ins utions and other organizations to assist the needy and to reduce regulation of such organizations.

Theocracy, here we come.

Heretics need not apply.

What ing garbage.


To be fair, I found no few things that I whole-heartedly agreed with.

[Winehole23]

To be fair, I found no few things that I whole-heartedly agreed with.

like what, please?

[Winehole23]

(areas of agreement tend to be deemphasized in the heat of debate, but they are still interesting)