Opus 2013-361: CCC: Out with the Classic, in with the Mediocre

One of the complaints I have heard about the new Common Core Curriculum (CCC) is that it is throwing out the use of literature in teaching and substituting boring selections taken from practical sources such as operator’s manuals and travel brochures.  Based on the “literature” that has become standard in education I am not sure that is a bad thing. 

What they don’t tell you is that they are also taking out the literature part of English.  Actually they deny it by saying that they still allow literature.  The truth is that it becomes a junior partner.  I just sat in a training session where the new jargon was introduced.  We now speak of “Informational Texts.”  Here is a portion of what was presented,

“Students read a true balance of informational and literary texts.  Elementary school classrooms are, therefore, places where students access the world - science, social studies, the arts and literature - through text.  At least 50% of what students read is informational.”

If you are bored and need something to do you can see the entire packet that was downloaded from the internet at the following site.

Notice two important phrases, “true balance” and “at least 50%.”  How do you define “true balance?”  What is the opposite, “false balance?”  And people assume that “at least 50%” means about half when it could also mean 95%.  This way of writing is designed to make you feel comfortable and leave them free to do whatever they want.

A quick glace at the examples they gave showed that they all came from personal journals of period pieces that left a lot to be desired in the quality of the writing.  Primary sources are important in teaching but who chooses the primary source.  The personal letters of someone’s Aunt Sophie are not necessarily as important as a letter by Thomas Jefferson.  It turns out that well known writers and classic literature need not apply.

I am afraid that a primary reason history is not emphasized is the same rational that has removed classical literature.  If you know your heritage and the struggles of the past you are harder to control in the future.  They give you a foundation to anchor you as you stand up for the important issues of life.  Without that knowledge you are trying to keep your head above water in the rapids of liberal jargon.

Progress is a wonderful thing, if you are a Progressive.

homo unius libri