A Letter concerning and against the International Baccalaureate Program

Dear Editor:

I recently read an article where Paul DeMinico [Superintendent, Gilford, NH SAU  -Skip] argued in favor of adopting the International Baccalaureate Program.  He seemed to be arguing against the many controversial issues that plague this program.  It’s as if he simply cannot admit that this program comes with baggage.  Cost being one of those obstacles.

In these tough economic time, it’s wise for taxpayers to look closely at any spending program.  This one should not be excluded from scrutiny.
 
This program does come at a hefty cost to taxpayers.  This is one of the main reasons Bow residents refused to allow the program in that district.

On top of the costs is the agenda of this program.  All one has to do is visit the IB web site to see that they promote a United Nations agenda within the program.  This isn’t a conspiracy, they happily tell you this at their web site.
 
If Dr. DeMinico visits this site, he will read where IB states:

"The new syllabus, for which students will first sit exams in 2011, is designed to encompass the United Nations’ millennium development goals, particularly those concerning poverty reduction, gender equality, improvements in health and education, and environmental sustainability." 

"Students must evaluate progress towards UN goals and take a close look at major global issues including population migration, global warming, biodiversity and resource availability."

Clearly the IB program does not shy away from using the classroom to advance the political agenda of the United Nations.

Given the fact that the IB was developed by individuals who promote a leftist agenda and given the fact that the UN is considered to be a leftist political organization, does anyone actually think that this program will refrain from politically indoctrinating students?

The NAEP (National Assessment) recently showed about half of our 4th and 8th grade students were NOT proficient in basic math.  The NECAP science proficiency scores were also recently released and the findings were troublesome.

The last thing we need to do is shift more education to indoctrination.  In fact, instead of promoting expensive political indoctrination programs, it would seem logical to instead use that money on the students who are failing in the core academic subjects.  
 
It is through education that our students will be able to compete in a global market, not through more political indoctrination.
 
Sincerely,
Ann Marie 

(cross posted at GilfordGrok)