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mahatmakanejeeves

(61,659 posts)
Mon Dec 16, 2024, 12:46 PM Dec 16

A Hegseth DOD comes with a battle against public school education

Hat tip, Joe.My.God.


Education

A Hegseth DOD comes with a battle against public school education
The Department of Defense Education Activity agency is a high-profile example of a federally run education program that has already been a conservative target.

{snip picture}
In DODEA, Pete Hegseth would be targeting a well-regarded school system whose students outperform the rest of the country on federal standardized tests. | Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

By Juan Perez Jr.
12/15/2024 06:00 PM EST

Pete Hegseth has pushed for years to steep American education in patriotic principles and Christian theology — and he could implement that vision for thousands of military families if he’s confirmed to lead the Defense Department.

Tucked inside the Pentagon’s nearly $900 billion-per-year bureaucracy is a network of 161 schools in 11 countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Department of Defense Education Activity agency educates some 67,000 children of active-duty military and civilian service members. And unlike public school systems, which are driven largely by state and local policy, the DODEA is a high-profile example of a federally run education program conservatives have longed to restructure.

If Hegseth weathers allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking and gets confirmed, he will have the opportunity to bend a key facet of the education system in his image. It would also be a way to resurrect the “patriotic education” blueprint Trump advanced during his first term and set an example Republican-led states can follow.

“The federal government does have control over one major school district’s curriculum — that can be a model for our nation,” said Max Eden, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who is influential in conservative education circles that are pushing to revamp the Defense Department’s schools. ... “It could be huge. It could change the character of American education beyond DODEA, but for half the country.”

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Walleye

(36,439 posts)
1. Great we're gonna have a secretary of defense who has never read the constitution
Mon Dec 16, 2024, 12:47 PM
Dec 16

I really don’t think we should even administer the oath to these people. We know they’re gonna break it.

3. According to US News and World Report, the United States Ranks 12th in World for Public Education System.
Mon Dec 16, 2024, 12:57 PM
Dec 16

When ranked among countries with developed public education systems, we rank 12th. I don't think 12th is that great. We should at least be in the top 3. I just don't know what needs to be done to get there. What are your ideas? What is holding us back? Is it a cultural thing where we don't take education seriously as other countries? Is it because we are a rich and powerful country and we are complacent?

Walleye

(36,439 posts)
5. Religion, that's what's holding us back. The founders were right when they put freedom of religion in the constitution.
Mon Dec 16, 2024, 01:00 PM
Dec 16

For some reason, Republicans choose to ignore that part or any other part they don’t like. Protect and defend? my ass.

FSogol

(46,732 posts)
6. While we should strive to be higher, the US is much larger than the other countries on that list.
Tue Dec 17, 2024, 08:58 AM
Dec 17

And don't forget we have a political party cult that is about to wage war on education.

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