October 20, 2005
I'll Give You Some "Social Justice"!
Ever heard of Cultural Competence? Well, it may be coming to a school near you.
....In May 2004, the Oregon Department of Education sponsored a summit of "over 100 of the State's leaders in education…to engage in a dialogue about cultural competency." Its purpose was to develop a specific proposal on how to implement 'cultural competence' in education, from kindergarten to university.It was the summit's definition of 'cultural competence' that caused Oregon's House to balk at the education bill that ensued -- Senate Bill 50. The essence of that definition: "Cultural competence is based on a commitment to social justice and equity."
Some of the specifics of what constitutes 'social justice' and 'equity' emerged from the summit, which was organized into discussion Ttbles. 'Cultural competence' "entails actively challenging the status quo…one table noted the need to incorporate institutionalized notions of power, privilege, and oppression into the definition….Thus, for many, cultural competence is transformative and political."
In practical terms, a "culturally competent" teacher "advocates for social justice"; the teacher "exhibits awareness of key concepts" such as "privilege, affirmative action"; he or she must not only "apply cultural competencies" but also "believe it."
'Cultural competence' would not be a request but a requirement. In its five year projection, the summit proposed to "revise rules to achieve high cultural standards including possible revocation of licensure for culturally incompetent behavior" and "to require cultural competence for license renewal."
Indeed, SB50 would have authorized the establishment of "standards for cultural competency and require an applicant for a teaching license to meet those standards."
In short, teachers would be required to advocate a specific vision of social justice to be licensed.
Why does everything these days sound like people live in a permanent encounter group? It's freakish.
Posted by Ithildin at October 20, 2005 3:37 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE
Is it to much to ask that they just teach readin', writin', and 'rithmatic. More and more children are coming out of school without basic skills, but,by G-d,they will be culturally competent
Posted by: Brass at October 21, 2005 6:32 AMThis is just too rich. Academic competence; no way. Cultural competence; rock on! Our education system is becoming less and less about pedagogy and more and more about indoctrination.
I wonder if the handbook that outlines what is needed to be considered "culturally competent" happens to be a "little red book?"
Posted by: Bohemian at October 21, 2005 11:24 AMWill we have Politcal Commisars on staff to ensure compliance?
Posted by: Dan Kauffman at October 22, 2005 12:25 AMCultural competence is a euphemism for toeing the leftist party line; there's precious little about culture or competence involved.
Posted by: akaky at October 22, 2005 1:59 PMARGH! I am so tired of politics being shoved into our kids because of the liberal teacher's unions. Yes, you can send your kids to private schools, but then you get the other end of the spectrum with religion being pushed. Is it any wonder that more and more people are home-schooling?
Posted by: Anna at October 22, 2005 7:13 PMnew age nonsense multiculeralism and new thinky feely stuff what else will they come up with?
Posted by: condor at October 23, 2005 5:02 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to bring back the carefree days of the USSR.
Posted by: Daniel Upton at October 20, 2005 8:46 PM