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New pro-American history standards stress the evils of communism
In "red states," students will learn that America is an exceptional (and great) -- and communism is evil.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 82 min read
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Thankful to be Americans
"Gratitude is the lifeblood of healthy schools and civic institutions, writes Rick Hess, being very Old School. Despite " classroom materials that depict Thanksgiving as just another evil exercise in settler colonialism," he writes, most teachers think schools should teach that the U.S. is "a fundamentally good country. " And they want to "teach students to question the policies of their nation’s government." That's right, Hess writes. Students should count our blessings a

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 272 min read
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Teach children that America is a good country, say teachers
Most teachers think it's "very" or "extremely important" to teach America's virtues and instill patriotism.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 292 min read
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'Patriotic' education isn't just flag-waving
We need rigorous history teaching -- not a switch from left-wing to right-wing takes on America.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 272 min read
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Kids don't know enough to 'do history' like historians
Students don't know enough history to "do history" like historians. They have to learn what happened before they analyze it.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 221 min read
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Despite the Holocaust, 'competitive victimhood' is a loser for Jews
Anti-antisemitism rules for schools won't work, and more Holocaust education isn't the answer.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 143 min read
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Knowledge matters: 'You can't think critically about nothing in particular'
Schools want to teach "critical thinking" without teaching knowledge. It can't be done.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 92 min read
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How many Americans could pass the new citizenship exam?
Most Americans would have trouble passing the new citizenship exam.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 22 min read
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Won't read, can't think
We "think and read less, and see and feel more."

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 282 min read
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U.S. Ed Dept will fund 'unifying, uplifting' civics, history lessons
The U.S. Education Department will fund patriotic education for America's 250th anniversary, but will schools go along?

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 232 min read
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Civics teachers 'don't know what they can and can't say'
Civics teachers don't agree on the goals of teaching civics, and fear controversy.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 92 min read
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Know-nothings: It's hard to think in a vacuum
If students don't learn facts, they won't be able to understand what they read or think deeply or critically.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 82 min read
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Oklahoma's teacher test: How do we tell a boy from a girl?
Can you pass Oklahoma's test for new teachers? Yes, unless you're a very dim bulb.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 53 min read
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Teach the Holocaust -- without mentioning Jews -- says NEA
Lots of people were victims of the Holocaust, says a National Education Association guidebook which doesn't mention Jews.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 112 min read
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The flag is up: America is for all of us
Raised to see patriotism as hokey, Larissa Phillips is flying a U.S. flag this year.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 43 min read
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From Juneteenth to July 4, celebrate 'reflective patriotism'
Juneteenth and July 4 celebrate American ideals and the struggle to attain them.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 303 min read
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More education, less political activism
Stop teaching a can't-do spirit. Young Americans are individuals capable of reason, resilience and growth -- not perpetual oppressors or victims.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 132 min read
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Proclaim oppression in every lesson: Philly students will be 'historically illiterate' social-justice activists
Philadelphia teachers are told to stress the negative in history lessons: America is the land of oppression.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 122 min read
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'The shot heard round the world' 250 years later
Bostonians are celebrating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride, Lexington and Concord.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 191 min read
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Is ethnic studies kaput in California?
Mandatory ethnic studies classes are under fire in California.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 223 min read
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