Deseret News | Legislators to probe schools' IB program

Reader comments
Legislators to probe schools' IB program

Concerned Parent | 7:25 a.m. May 22, 2008

It amazes me how willing parents are to throw their own kids to the international socialists.
These articles repeatedly fail to point out that these kids are not just being 'exposed to a world view' but they are being taught that American exceptionalism is bad... by way of implications of the curriculum.

They have had kids marching in the streets with anti-war signs, and doing whole projects based on the false premise that global warming is caused by our breathing. (I suppose this is right in line with the fact that the UN's population control goals are to get rid of 3/4 of us!)

It's one thing to learn about other cultures, but do we want to be governed by a world body that fancies itself a supra-national authority over our Constitution and Bill of Rights?

I KNOW I DON'T.

This program seeks to use our children for political pawns and make little leftist activists out of them. The mission statement is pretty clear about that.

The parents who are pushing for this do not have a brain in their heads I guess.

Dayton has to be impeached | 8:28 a.m. May 22, 2008

For someone who says that she "loves public education", Margaret Dayton does everything she can to push her agenda and not that of public education. She pushed vouchers and is bitter and angry with those who opposed it. She now questions a program that gives another choice for a superior education in public education. Yet, she had NO PROBLEM to push vouchers and the consitutionality problems of them. She is a hypocrite! Why does she feel that she is the female GOD of the legislature and Utah County Republicans? I can not understand why any delegate has EVER voted for her. Well, yes, I guess, I can. She is an ultra conservative WACKO who thinks that those who voted against vouchers should be strung up and whipped. They went against HER.

delighted parent | 9:16 a.m. May 22, 2008

I'm saddened to read the ill-informed message from Concerned Parent. I've had two boys graduate from West High's IB program both of whom went on to have distinguished college experiences and are now productive members of their communities, working hard to help heal our troubled world. The Concerned Parent's indictment of the program is a sad demonstration of arrogance and xenophobia. Exactly the kind of narrow mindedness that keeps us from opening our minds and hearts to the exciting diversity of our planet. Fear is not a good foundation on which to build an educational system. Curiosity, exploration and discovery need to be at the forefront of our thinking if we are to ever find ways out of the difficult situations we find ourselves in on the planet today.

Comments continue below

Darin to Concerned Parent | 9:15 a.m. May 22, 2008

Margaret Dayton's claims are absurd, but they seem to have led you to a great deal of paranoia. If there is any hope fot this nation and this world, it is found in education - learning to learn and THINK. God forbid we should expose our kids to the way the rest of the world operates! Is the US system of government so shaky that it can't handle a populous that has knowledge of other systems?

I have no doubt that Margaret Dayton would be happy as a clam if we were to replace the IB program with a certain type of religious indoctrination. This woman is in the same sad group that includes Sen. Buttars and Gayle Ruzicka - a group not unlike the Taliban.

To concerned parent | 9:20 a.m. May 22, 2008

The parents who want responsible well educated children able to compete in a global market are pushing for this. We cannot be isolationsists. We need to know our world around us so we can better function in a global society. Xenophobic tendies that you seem to display are more fertile ground for socialism and conformity among people than a broadened educational program such as the IB program.

to concerned parent | 9:44 a.m. May 22, 2008

Do you have a child in the program? I doubt it because what you describe is not going on in my school. Bottom line, if you don't like a program you have a CHOICE not to enroll your child.

Once again | 11:20 a.m. May 22, 2008

our worthless legislature is out to ruin a superior and beneficial ELECTIVE program because of their underlying fears that these kids might grow up to be educated voters and see right through the lies and deceit they spread in our communities.

I guess we should all just learn to "baaaaaa" and be complacent with an educational system where sports are everything (not that sports are bad, they just shouldn't be the only option) and students who find interest in more intellectual activities are stifled and stuffed in the corner to be forgotten about.

Stupid legislators like Dayton and Buttars and their Puppet Master Gayle Ruzika should be ashamed of the Nazi conformism propoganda they spread under the guise of morality and religion.

VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!

Anonymous | 1:00 p.m. May 22, 2008

WOW just WOW.

This tops all of the lame things our legislature has done to public education in the last 50 years.

educrat | 1:16 p.m. May 22, 2008

No way this tops the list of dumb education related legislature action even over the last two years.

1. School Vouchers
2. Reducing the requirements for splitting of school districts without outlyning how said splits were to occur
3. 3.5 million allocated for Pre-school computer software program
4. Rejection of seismic study for all public school buildings because if they found the schools were unsafe they'd actually have to pay to get them made safe. (considering the tragedy of all those schools collapsing in China, more Utahns should be outraged by this indisgression).
5. Appointing people such as Howard Stephenson and Margret Dayton over the education committee for the state.

Fohne | 1:17 p.m. May 22, 2008

The senator must be running for re-election. Red-baiting the IB program, found on many American Embassy faciliites, is well established, internationally respected and highly sought by U.S. schools.

IB Administrator | 3:36 p.m. May 22, 2008

As an administrator with the IB program active and well in my school I would like to refute the claim that it is anti-american. Our IB school has 10 students participating in the National History Day competition in June addressing very pro-american themes. What makes this senator "more" american than those who would view the world more globally. Our students through the IB philosophy have grown as young americans, thinking and prblem solving at a high level

Pat | 3:43 p.m. May 22, 2008

If this wasn't so absurd and pathetic, but also scary, it would be alughable. And Sen. Margaret Dayton knows what is good for every student. In a time when we are globally competitive we (Americans) need to know how other countries operate and think, and understand their cultures for their benefit and very much out. This sounds like McCarthyism.
Don't you have anything else better to fret about?

Where did this come from? | 5:29 p.m. May 22, 2008

As a teacher who is certified and taught IB Music, IB is amazing. I have taught both IB and AP and must say the IB program was much deeper and broader. I do know that nationally and internationally IB is very well recognized.

This Ms. Dayton needs to get out of Provo (BYU) and see the world.

Anonymous | 5:54 p.m. May 22, 2008

Ms. Dayton wears a fancy schmancy flag lapel pin. That makes her patriotic beyond just being the from the true American party in Utah, the Republicans.

Annoyed IB Teacher | 9:54 p.m. May 22, 2008

I have taught IB History of the Americas for 5 years and am shocked to hear how reportedly "unAmerican" it is. I have a series of topics that I am supposed to cover over a period of 100 years in American history. As the teacher, I work within the state standards to frame the course for my students. We study those very unpatriotic topics such as Jacksonian Democracy and the Civil War. In response to Concerned Parent, how can you argue in any way that IB has claimed authority over our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Teachers have many choices within the parameters of the program to fit the needs of the local community. If anything, the emphasis on a global perspective makes the students appreciate their rights to freedom of speech even more.

Julia | 3:20 a.m. May 23, 2008

We are in a unigue position, I taught IB psychology in an international school in Asia and now our daughter goes to an IB school in Europe. Never have we felt it Anti-American. It has always been taught-my view point- very broad and global subjects and felt like from my daughter's view an advanced worldly view. What is wrong with that in Education?

It is comments from American's like this that make me wonder what is going to happened in the USA and I am glad to know all the American students we know who have excelled in the IB program and know they will be "our" American leaders.

educrat | 12:00 p.m. May 23, 2008

Julia,

You hit it on the head. Dayton and Stephenson do not want future leaders or educated people who may take their jobs. The IB program is a threat to their livlihood.

no foundation | 1:33 p.m. May 23, 2008

IB may be great, but it has no basis in the Utah State constitution. The central issue is who gets to be in charge of what our kids learn. The Utah constitution says that it's the role of the State. IB curriculum comes from Switzerland. It may be terrific, but Dayton's contention is well-founded and in keeping with the laws of our State.

All the diminutive statements related to Dayton seem like the talk of a village mob with torches. Anyone who is against investigating the proper legal role of a curriculum should ask why they are willing to suspend the rule of law. Anyone who thinks that they have already found the best thing, and no further search is necessary, should also be questioned.

A lot of money is spent on the IB curriculum. It is not at all inappropriate for a state legislator to ask if the money is spent effectively and legally.

IB Administrator | 1:35 p.m. May 23, 2008

Criticism out of Provo, Utah from the same people who brought us polygamy. And IB is Anti-American?

to No Foundation: | 9:26 a.m. May 24, 2008

Considering Stephenson funded his Preschool computer package to the tune of 3.5 million over the 300 K that was asked for for IB, taxpayers do have a foundation. These legislators are corrupt to the core and only got elected on their being republicans.

It was Stephenson and Dayton who killed IB in committee along with a third (who I can't remember). Stephenson's reasoning was to get hi Preschool software. I don't know what Dayton had to gain but she isn't representing those who voted for her either.

Education supporter | 6:46 a.m. May 25, 2008

I strongly believe that education is the key for people, but that education should include more of the history and understanding of the basic ideals that have made America the greatest country ever, not just because of our affluence but also because of liberty and personal freedoms. Any program that focuses on globalism rather than Americanism should be reviewed. Do we not want our children to know and understand the basic principles that have made us strong? I wish that all of our high schools had more of a focus on Americanism rather than globalism. Supporting our sovereignity is so important, and yet our children on not really being taught why. I am a former public school teacher, and I believe that Margaret Dayton is a well-intentioned patriot. I am very interested in the results of the review of this program. If it so wonderful as its supporters indicate, perhaps we can even include the great writings of the founding fathers of our own country as well as focus on some of the great intellectuals of the conservative movement also. They seem to be glossed over or forgotten by most running our public schools. Hats off to Margaret Dayton.

Jamie Baumann | 3:03 p.m. May 27, 2008

The IB program teaches students to think, to communicate, to understand others and the foundations of their points of view, to respectfully argue their own points of view, and to master six different academic disciplines at an honors level. In addition, students must do community service. What is America coming to that we have anyone who wouldn't support this world-class education for ALL students?

Cherilyn Bacon Eagar | 8:03 a.m. June 5, 2008

I have read the comments since May 22nd. If you Google the Senate site there is a blog that has drawn some intelligent discussion nationally from the U.S. New and World Report blog - Morse Code - on the International Baccalaureate program as well as from local bloggers. Google Morse Code International Baccalaureate.

Overall, I have been disappointed in the lack of intelligent comment here at the Deseret News on all levels. I have studied the philosophical foundations of the IB, its history, its founders' politics and speeches of its current leaders and their political views. In addition the research that does not justify the extraordinary cost.

I encourage all who have commented here to do a little primary source research. There have been several comments that show absolute ignorance of the topic. These arguments are based solely on emotion and have no standing.

I am equally concerned that the journalistic reporting of this subject in this newspaper has been so superficial and at times fictitious.

It appears that Senator Dayton and Senator Stephenson are among the few that have investigated this curriculum. I would hope that others will follow suit.

Cherilyn Bacon Eagar
World Class Education Research

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