Kent Clizbe--Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Commentary

Does America Need a Common Core of Cultural Literacy as a National Curriculum?

Conservative" blabberers have totally skewed reality on this issue.

The "conservative" Rage Against Common Core is being fanned by special interests.

The problem is NOT a "Common Core" for American children to be introduced to, learn, and appreciate American culture and learn basic skills (reading, writing and arithmetic). We MUST have a Common Core that propagates American culture through the generations.

The problem IS the content of the Common Core, while the Education Establishment is controlled by anti-American Politically Correct Progressives.

We had a Common Core for many generations of American students. One of the best examples of this American Common Core is the McGuffey Readers:

"The McGuffey Readers reflect their author's personal philosophies, as well as his rough and tumble early years as a frontier schoolteacher. The finished works represented far more than a group of textbooks; they helped frame the country's morals and tastes, and shaped the American character. The lessons in the Readers encouraged standards of morality and society throughout the United States for more than a century. They dealt with the natural curiosity of children; emphasized work and an independent spirit; encouraged an allegiance to country, and an understanding of the importance of religious values. The Readers were filled with stories of strength, character, goodness and truth. The books presented a variety of contrasting viewpoints on many issues and topics, and drew moral conclusions about lying. "

http://www.mcguffeyreaders.com/history.htm

There is a newer version of the American Common Core, introduced in the 80s and 90s, E.D. Hirsch's series provides a clear curriculum for American Cultural Literacy. The titles of the series were: What your ____ Grader Needs to Know.

http://www.coreknowledge.org/ed-hirsch-jr

Every American school SHOULD use the Hirsch Common Core of Cultural Literacy to educate American kids.

When you talk to my kids (not to blow my own horn), you'll find that they can carry on a conversation about any issue from American/world history/culture/politics. This is because they were raised on the American Common Core. It was introduced to them as "fun" reading and activities outside their school work.

If American schools used the Hirsch Common Core as the standard, there would be a flowering of American culture and a renaissance of America.

It's only possible with a Common Core--one that celebrates America's greatness. The problem is that today's Education Mafia's Common Core tends to DENIGRATE American greatness.