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International Baccalaureate Undermines U.S. Founding Principles

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It seems that this article is misunderstanding some of the fundamental aspects of the IB program. The IBO does not simply choose a country or school to impart the program upon. It is chosen carefully by schools who understand their communities and what their students and the parents of their students desire in an education. Creating a nation of compassionate, independent thinkers seems to me, to be an unimpeachable cornerstone of education.

Independent Thinker 6:58AM April 04, 2013

You do not need to fear new ideas and concepts. If they are unworthy they will not survive. An open and free society must consider all rational information and ideas to compete in the future or be left to defend its borders with ignorance.

CT of OH 10:59AM January 28, 2013

St. John's Preparatory School in Collegeville Mn has sold its Catholic soul to this program...it is a serious tragedy unfolding in the last three years, and this decision resulted in the firing of the best teachers in the school.

oldster of MN 2:22PM August 14, 2012

I applaud this article!
The IB has become an international busine$$ in the field of education; it certainly undermines national principles wherever it's implemented, whether in the U.S. or in the Third World. In the latter, it definitely alienates societies from their historical roots more so than in the First World and deepens the social economical divisions that already exist there, rather than contributing to any national improvements in education. The IB erodes national identities and that is damaging enough for any nation.

Tony Murillo of DC 10:02PM June 13, 2012

So Emmett, how do you expect our children to compete in the world economy if we are still teaching them it's an US vs the world mentality? Of course what good is a college degree anyway if all the jobs are outsourced...

Mom of 2 of VA 5:27PM June 11, 2012

Thank you for an article that summarizes the concerns that so many of us share about this expensive, unnecessary and controversial alternative to American excellence in education. Each time I hear that European constructivism is the method of choice in our public schools, I feel that American educators have been discounted or dismissed. I see nothing in IBO that our own teachers cannot accomplish without the UN partnership.

Mara Spencley of OH 9:30AM May 21, 2012

This article hits the nail on the head.
I'm a teacher and I can tell you that even without IB this is the brainwashing your kids will get in the public schools, period.
They might call it IB, they might it reform, but it's INDOCTRINATION.

Teacher of NH 10:58AM May 15, 2012

"Dingo Dan," that should tell you something about his comments!

NSAWATCHU of SC 9:49AM May 14, 2012

IBO's website support for: Universal Declaration on Human Rights:
http://www.ibo.org/council/members/seefried/speeches/heartsminds.cfm
The UDHR Article 29 states:
In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations

The U.S. Declaration of Independence vs. the Universal Declaration on Human Rights:
**Declaration of Independence: the purpose of the government is to protect the natural rights of each individual, or the unalienable rights.
** UDHR, human rights cannot be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
** US Declaration of Independence, we are born with rights and government exists to protect them.
** UDHR, government grants, restricts or withdraws your rights according to its needs.
Teaching "values" to students must be done by promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However this document which spells out the UN's vision of human rights, conflicts with the individual rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
The United Nations Agenda 21 and The Earth Charter as part of the IB program:
Under: Sustainability as international mindedness
http://www.ibo.org/iba/pyp3.cfm
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.Print.asp?documentid=52
(See Children and Youth; Promoting Education)
Agenda 21 was developed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The proposal was meant to address overpopulation, global warming and Third World poverty. Agenda 21 has been criticized for threatening private property rights by both Republicans and Democrats against Agenda 21.
• Tennessee lawmakers passed a resolution condemning the United Nations Agenda 21 environmental plan.
• Neither the U.S. government nor any state or local government is legally bound by the United Nations Agenda 21 treaty in that it has never been endorsed by the U.S. Senate.

MOMwithAbrain of NH 12:56PM May 03, 2012

I can't help but echo the sentiments of everyone who stated a dissenting opinion to this ludicrous article. I stubbled upon the article as I was trying to learn more about IB schools and whether we should consider sending our children to one while living abroad. I am more convinced than ever that IB is the way to go, not only because of the positive comments about IB, but because I want to send my children anywhere Mr. McGroarty's children aren't.

global minded mom of PA 5:38PM March 21, 2012