Question 2
Is this really the model we want for America?
A lot of well-meaning people hope school-to-work will help American students
become more productive citizens. There is no doubt in my mind that those
advocating this systemic initiative, do so with the best intentions. However,
I wonder how many good citizens realize that the model upon which STW is
based is unequivocally Marxist in its methods and ideology. This statement
is not a figment of my imagination; indeed, these thoughts are presented
by one of your own--Robert Beck (d. 1992). In 1990 he submitted a report
to the National Center for Research in Vocational Education in which he
advocates that America adopt the Soviet model. The title of this report
is "Polytechnical Education: A Step." It is available to the public
for around $4 by calling 1-800-637-7652. Beck's report ought to be required
reading, because the parallels between the Soviet model and our expressed
goals are already uncomfortably close.
Please remember, a shift in political ideology does not happen overnight;
it takes decades to develop. Polytechnical education (STW) will take us
"a step" in the direction of Marxist ideology. Regardless of the
naivete and goodwill of STW's proponents, the relationship between polytechnical
education and Marxism is symbiotic. You cannot, in the end, have one without
the other. But don't believe me--read Beck and decide for yourself.
STW Wizard Strategies
Wizard Strategy 1
I believe that this person is only looking at a very small piece of a
very big picture. School-to-Work and graduation standards are not meant
to make everyone the same - they are meant to give every person a chance
to shine - to learn in the way they learn best, and to have personally satisfying
lives. I would recommend this person take a look at test scores across this
country - and ask the hard questions about who is succeeding and who is
not. We have a crisis on our hands that must be dealt with. I would also
recommend to people with this narrow view of School-to-Work, that they recommend
something positive to help improve our educational system. I would be more
interested in listening to strategies than criticism.
Wizard Strategy 2
There are several issues to which I would like to respond regarding Wizard
Question 2.
First, in my understanding, School-to-Work is meant to augment education
not to replace our present system of education. The U.S. educational system
offers a wide range of freedoms (determined by elected school boards) and
an even wider range of options designed to maximize the potential of each
individual. School-to-Work initiatives offer even more options and certainly
is not a system intended to pigeon-hole students into employment areas selected
for them. I see the opposite result: Students are encouraged to begin at
an early age to explore the zillions of career areas available, and to match
their individual interests and aptitudes to careers they would likely enjoy
and be successful in. This is freedom to choose--we are only arming them
with the ability to make educated choices (and they will not be prevented
from making poor choices).
Secondly, like it or not, people do not live in isolation in this century.
Corporations realize that they must become increasingly cooperative and
even global in order to succeed, and they are looking for employees who
can work well in teams within the company and with other businesses--even
competitors. Teaching children the skills to work in groups and to collaborate
does not mean the end of Capitalism. We are preparing our students to be
social individuals because we live in societies which are increasingly global
in nature and they will need these skills to be successful in their personal
and professional lives.
Thirdly, mention of the Soviet Union at one time struck fear in the minds
and hearts of many Americans. A number of years ago I studied the Russian
language and made several trips throughout the Soviet Union. A lot of good
people were living there and their system had some strengths as well as
weaknesses. I see nothing wrong with encouraging productive citizenship
and full employment, and we Americans can shoot for that same goal without
becoming Marxist. In our society we encourage both the individual and the
community to be successful, and we do it with incentives and by allowing
individual freedom of selection rather than decisions passed down from state
authorities.
In summary, I feel that School-to-Work is an excellent addition to our
present educational system. It is promoting the independence of each individual
(work vs. welfare), intellectual growth, and opportunity for all--American
as apple pie. In no way does it restrict the freedoms of any individual
or employer. STW provides for our students practical information and preparation
for the futures they will face after graduation, as well as an explanation
regarding the future application of the educational training they have been
receiving in all subject areas. Isn't that the real purpose of education?
Wizard Strategy 3
Interesting ideology behind this question.
Personally, I believe that each of us is a unique, unrepeated miracle.
Each of us has gifts that contribute to this world. I think the model we
want for America's schools is one that facilitates learning in a myriad
of ways that recognize that individuals learn differently and are gifted
differently. Being inclusive in the process doesn't mean that we don't accommodate
differences or that we don't compete. We do value work but we are in conflict
about what constitutes work. We are taught from a Christian perspective
to care about one another, but not at the cost of not caring for ourselves.
This is where I believe we diverge from the Marxist writings quoted.
Despite Lenin's horrendous acts, I don't see anything wrong with "the
possibility that all the miracles of technology, all the achievements of
culture can become attainable to all the people."
Comments from Pam Stenhjem, Project Coordinator, All Means All School-to-Work
Project
Our goal through the All Means All Project, is to identify those involved
in school-to-work activities and systems that truly are using strategies
to involve each learner, on an individual basis, to meet their individual
goals for education and a career. We want to share these strategies with
others so that we can learn about what is really working. Although most
inquiries regarding this project are very positive and supportive, we have
also received several very well thought-out, extensive inquiries about our
project philosophy. These have included reference and excerpts of the article
by Robert Beck, "Polytechnical Education: A Step." A very clear
implication is being drawn between our project and this philosophy by those
making the inquiries.
When we talk about including ALL learners, our goal is to make sure that
every learner, no matter who they are, what their skills and abilities,
interests, family history, culture, gender, etc., has access to and can
benefit from any option offered through school-to-work opportunities in
a given community - IF THEY SO CHOOSE. In no way, shape, or form are we
suggesting that every learner receive exactly the same thing, in exactly
the same way, to prepare them for a cookie-cutter future with limited opportunities.
We do not believe in placement into a permanent "track" that will
form the rest of a learner's future, with no recourse for change or new
interests.
Those who are using Beck's article, with it's focus on Marxist ideologies
to put forth the conclusion that this is what the School-to-Work initiative
is really all about, also believe that this is what our project is all about.
This is a new approach, one I am just becoming familiar with and one
which our project must begin to address if we are to have positive outcomes.
I believe there is merit in reading Beck's article and in discussing this
particular view of school-to-work initiatives. Unless we can understand
this point of view and also question WHY we are involved in the school-to-work
initiative, our work will lose it's meaning. Unless we can unequivocally
support our own beliefs about school-to-work, we may find that school-to-work
opportunities are not as successful as they could be and that those who
need access the most, may be denied the opportunity to participate equally
.
Until I received these inquiries, I never really questioned my involvement
and support of school-to-work. I now feel more strongly than ever, that
it is a GOOD and POSITIVE movement - one which I fully support and believe
in.
This is a very critical issue - one which is not going to go away, as
we have found out through this project. I encourage everyone to get a copy
of Beck's article, read it, and then to question the not so subtle implications
that are now coming to the forefront by those regarding school-to-work as
a "government conspiracy" to control our country's education.
- "An idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it."
-Anonymous
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