Ramona Bessinger on Sowell's "Inside American Education" • Part 2
Mar 16, 2022
01:25:24
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Quick takeaways
The decline in academic performance among American students is linked to deceptive grading practices and a focus on psychotherapeutic education rather than intellectual development.
American education has shifted towards promoting anti-American sentiments and pushing politicized agendas, prioritizing division and reshaping students' perceptions.
The intellectual caliber of public school teachers is a concern, as the focus on social and ideological agendas has resulted in a deficiency in critical thinking and intellectual skills among students.
Deep dives
Academic skills have been declining since the 1960s
Thomas Sowell's book highlights the noticeable and undeniable decline in academic skills among American students since the 1960s. This decline is supported by a decrease in standardized test scores, while grades continue to inflate. Sowell emphasizes that the decline in academic performance is linked to deceptive grading practices and a focus on psychotherapeutic education rather than intellectual development. He also criticizes the lowering of educational standards and the impact of ideologies and activist agendas infiltrating the educational system.
Anti-Americanism and politicized agendas in education
Sowell argues that American education has shifted towards promoting anti-American sentiments and pushing politicized agendas. He highlights the infiltration of ideologies such as multiculturalism, gender identity, anti-racism, and climate change in the curriculum. Sowell suggests that these agendas prioritize division, activism, and reshaping students' perceptions. He criticizes the substitution of academic pursuits for world-saving crusades, which he believes hinders the development of necessary skills and knowledge in students.
Concerns about the caliber of public school teachers
Sowell raises concerns about the intellectual caliber of public school teachers, citing indicators that suggest a shockingly low level of academic competency. He highlights that education courses often attract individuals with lower academic performance, and tenure policies make it difficult to address incompetence in teaching. Sowell argues that the focus on social and ideological agendas has shifted teachers' priorities away from academic development, resulting in a deficiency in critical thinking and intellectual skills among students.
Decline in Academia and Grade Inflation
The podcast discusses the decline in academia and the issue of grade inflation that has been observed in the education system. The guest suggests that the decline in academia is partially due to a push to mainstream education, resulting in less focus on specific academic tracks and a leveling of the playing field. This has led to a decrease in critical thinking and academic performance. Additionally, the guest confirms the prevalence of grade inflation, stating that teachers are being pressured to change failing grades to passing grades, resulting in unethical and fraudulent reporting.
Secrecy and Brainwashing in Education
The podcast highlights the issues of secrecy and brainwashing in the education system. The guest points out that secrecy is prevalent in schools, with policies that allow private conversations between adults and students without parental knowledge or consent. This secrecy is used to promote gender identity discussions and has even led to children being counseled and referred for hormone therapy without parental involvement. The guest also agrees with the claim that schools are using brainwashing techniques, such as emotional stress and isolation from parents, to manipulate children's thoughts and beliefs. These tactics are aimed at advancing political agendas and stifling critical thinking.
NEW NEWS THAT'S NEWSWORTHY: Basic Books (Sowell's publisher) is teaming up with The Genius of Thomas Sowell Podcast to offer listeners a chance to win 4 Sowell books. Enter at SowellBooks.com for a chance to win!
In the previous episode, we listened to a 1993 interview with Thomas Sowell about his book “Inside American Education,” and we let Sowell himself introduce us to the main themes of that book.
In this episode, I’d like to present a more structured summary of “Inside American Education” and discuss my thoughts on some of the key arguments of the first half of the book. Later in the show I interview an elementary school teacher named Ramona Bessinger about her take on the arguments in Sowell’s book and whether or not the trends identified by Sowell are still happening today, 30 years later.
Special thanks to Priyanka Wolan for reading the Sowell quotes used in this episode.
Finally, if you recognized the background music which fades in at the end of this episode, you got a special treat. This is a guitar version of Pink Floyd's "We Don't Need No Education" masterfully played by Gabriella Quevedo. Look her up on YouTube, you'll be glad you did.
Here are some useful resources to help enjoy the show:
1) TomSowell.com is the show website, chock full of useful information.
2) Thomas Sowell quotes sticky post it notes are still in stock! Up until now we have been offering the pads for free, but beginning April 1, 2022 we will be charging $3 per pad, which includes postage. Each pad has 50 different Sowell quotes to stick around the house as a daily inspiration or as a way to introduce your friends and family to Sowell's ideas. You can find all 50 digital images of the post it notes HERE, feel free to download them and use them however you like. To get your free pad of printed post it notes, just email your mailing address to WolanAlan@gmail.com, and please put the word "Sowell" in the subject line. Remember, this free offer is only valid until the end of March 2022. Thereafter there will be a charge!
3) If you’d like to actively participate in this podcast, make a comment or ask a question, just record your comment or question using the Voice Memos app on your smartphone, then email the recording to me at WolanAlan@gmail.com. On a future episode I’ll play your comment and respond to it.
4) Please rate and comment about the show on your podcast platform; it helps new listeners find the show.
Thanks for listening, and see you for Episode 16 where we will be analyzing the second half of Sowell's "Inside American Education."
PS: In an upcoing episode we will be hosting a debate between two terrific scholars about Sowell's views on Affirmative Act
• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan • Email me at WolanAlan@gmail.com • Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius • Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell • See all my links at www.alanwolan.com
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