Submitted by, Candace Byers, Greenwich resident 37 years
For Greenwich Republicans who have opened their wallets to see DeSantis in Greenwich soon, please consider something before you place your bets.
On September 6, 2023 the New York Times ran an article on the decision Florida’s public university system recently made to use the ‘Classic Learning Test’ for college admissions instead of the ACT or SAT. It is based on ‘the western canon and Christian religious thought’. If you are a ‘conservative’ you may not read or subscribe to the NYT’s so I’ve provided a link.
Webster’s defines classic as ‘markedly and instructively typical’. Let’s take a look. Here is a typical question using Chapter 2 of St Teresa of Avilia’s ‘The Way of Perfection’ first published in 1577. It goes on for 6 paragraphs. Let’s take question 8: “The author (St Teresa of Avila, mind you) indicates in the passage that those who build large houses:
A) will be punished eventually for their greed – uh-oh Greenwich
B) are doubly required to give alms to the poor – uh-oh BET
C) require the nuns’ prayers for their souls
D) do not deserve our censure – loud cheers from the GOP
Apparently the Florida public university system feels that we need to go all the way back to the 16th century to avoid ‘educational fads and expose students to rich intellectual material’ per the creator of the test, Jeremy Tate, head of Classic Learning Initiatives. Hmmm. Since the US is a global leader in innovation, maybe ‘educational fads’ work?
Imagine a group of Americans so ashamed of their history that they forbid it being taught? Cowardice, no? Has anyone ever solved a problem without understanding its cause?
Question for you Greenwich GOP, since DeSantis wants to do what he has done in FL to the whole US, what kind of career do you think your children or grandchildren will be prepared for immersed in the literature on one shrinking religion, and the white-washed history of a few European countries? Do you think graduates will be competitive in tomorrow’s employment market?
Why wouldn’t you want to be ‘awake’?
Here’s What It’s Like to Take the Classic Learning Test New York Times, Sept 6, 2023