IB: A basis for broad distrust

The Press’ reporting of the School Board’s 3/1/10 meeting omitted a few facts. Many more than 10 people showed up to demonstrate their opposition to IB in our schools.

It is fact that IB reports directly to the UN on implementation of the UN’s world education goals (see the 2005 Mid-Term report found on IB’s own website, ibo.org) and that IB is focused on teaching “Sustainable Development” in partnership with the UN.  (See the 2007 Singapore presentation on Education for Sustainable Development at ibo.org.)  It is fact that IB’s stated goal is creating “True Global Citizens,” as stated in many documents found at ibo.org.

I submitted that either the Board had not done a thorough job of vetting the IB Program, or had intentionally withheld the information on the link between IB and UN from District 271’s Advanced Learning Committee that was tasked with reviewing IB and making a recommendation to the Board regarding its adoption. In support, I submitted a letter signed by a committee member who stated there had been no discussion of the political controversy involving IB in the Committee’s deliberations. 

Next, Hayden Meadows is currently teaching PYP.  Fernan Elementary started teaching PYP last Fall, but dropped the program in December when there was a significant drop in students’ performance scores. 

The Press article also failed to mention that there are numerous protests over IB in school districts nationwide — see truthaboutib.com for a comprehensive description. 

Next, I disagree with Board Chair Edie Brooks on her view of school choice. The Board’s view of choice is that if you don’t like what they are teaching you can leave. However, that deprives your child of the right to go to his or her neighborhood school, and if your child needs a bus ride to school you can forget about it! 

I say our children should be able to get a good education, without the political indoctrination, at every school in our school district. Shouldn’t that be the goal? 

Finally, Board member Vern Newby stated that he can’t understand why no parents complained about the political agenda of the IB program when the Special Levy was being decided last Spring.  I guess he didn’t read my letter to the Press published shortly after it was submitted on 3/19/09, and doesn’t think it was his job to find out about IB before he let it into our schools. No wonder the people distrust their government.

DUNCAN KOLER

Hayden Lake