Comments on: Byrd Requires Colleges Teach Constitution

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:41:44 +0000

Denise: True enough, although I can scarely conceive of a forum less conducive to educating than an assembly in the gymasium.

By: denise

denise — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:39:02 +0000

"the vast majority of teachers are simply unqualified to teach on this subject" Thinking elementary and high school, the words "instructional program" make me think assembly, where presumably a school could offer a qualified speaker, or a video presentation that could be made by a bar association or other qualified entity. I still don't think it's a great idea, but the unqualified educator problem can be easily overcome.

By: Admiral Quixote

Admiral Quixote — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 16:24:54 +0000

This highlights one of the problems of socialism (which is what our education system is). He who pays the piper gets to call the tunes. Even if the Federal government pays just a small portion of the university fees, they will find a way to call some of the tunes.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 15:26:56 +0000

Georgia required something similar. But that's a different issue. If the primary funding source required that students take a certain course, I'd have much less trouble with it than getting down to the micro level of what day they're having the instruction.

If Congress wanted to require, for example, that all students take Calculus and basic physics and chemistry courses, under the idea that the nation needs more people qualified in the sciences, I would think it within their prerogative as a funding provider.

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 15:23:12 +0000

I went to Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, and there the state requires the teaching of both the U.S. and Massachusetts constitutions. I don't think I got as much out of it as I would now when my interest is greater, nor do I remember how slanted it was, but it was there. It is the slant that would concern me. What's to stop colleges from teaching every student that the 2nd amendment means only the military is allowed to have weapons? Nothing at all, apart from, you know, the reading comprehension and embrace of logic instilled in the students by their prior educators. Oh wait.