“Progressive education”. . . “steeped in lefty politics”. . . “lessons in radical politics.”

They use these words like they’re a good thing in a taxpayer- supported public school!

Please look over the Bridges Charter School website for their proposed “progressive” public school, and read these words at www.bridgescharter.org.

You’ll see a subject: “progressive schools.” Click on that and at the bottom of the information you’ll see “more.” Click on that, and there’s a long article by the apparent guru of progressive education, Alfie Kohn.

Here’s some of it:

“There’s another mistake based on too narrow a defini tion, which took me awhile to catch on to: A school that is cul turally progressive is not neces sarily educationally progres sive. An institution can be steeped in lefty politics and multi-grain values; it can be committed to diversity, peace and saving the planet—but re main strikingly traditional in its pedagogy. In fact, one can imag ine an old-fashioned pour-in the-facts approach being used to teach lessons in tolerance or even radical politics.”

Note that his definition of a progressive education is highly political.

Partisan politics in the classroom—left or right—cannot be promoted in public schools.

The Conejo Valley Unified School District Board of Education must deny this politically charged school a public charter on Tues., Dec. 1. These parents should spend their own money and start up a private school without taxpayers’ money.

They want their students to have an education based in leftist politics, per their own website information.

It’s a free country. Go right ahead and build and pay for your own school.

But you’re dreaming if you think taxpayers should foot the bill for your “progressive” project. Cathy Carlson Thousand Oaks