Common Core--Checking Out Parent's Political Leanings, Is This Something You Want Your Kids Discussing With Their Teachers?

Illinois High School Requires Parents To Self-Identify As Liberal Or Conservative

December 5, 2013 by Personal Liberty News Desk

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This article was originally published by Illinois Review.

An assignment sent home from an Oak Forest, Ill., high school government class is raising eyebrows among parents who are shocked by the questionnaire they and their children are required to fill out. The questionnaire (below) has the parents identify their positions on a number of highly charged issues, and then places them on a “political spectrum.”

The survey is from the textbook U.S. Government 2, published by the The Center for Learning. It is part of Oak Forest High School’s Common Core curriculum, which, according to the school district’s website, is to “provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them.”

In Stage 1 of this particular unit, students are to match political philosophies with political parties, debate a political/social/economic issue from their viewpoint on the political spectrum and identify the viewpoint of a social issue on that spectrum.

In Stage 2, the students are to conduct a “Political Spectrum Interview” (questionnaire above) “with someone 40 years old or older.” The specific curriculum instructions are as follows:

Parents of some of the students told Illinois Review they fear possible retribution on their children if they refuse to complete the survey. However, each had determined not to do so.

–Illinois Review

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