Government schools as they exist now got started in the late 1800s. For most of the first hundred years of their existence public schools were focused on teaching basic academic subjects. The goals were making sure the students could read, write and do basic math. Over time various groups saw a chance to influence society by pushing their agendas into the classroom.
This is one of the reasons Janine and I homeschool. We don't want others pushing their philosophies into the minds of our children.
Awhile back I came across a column on The First Amendment Right to Nonpolitical Homework. The New York Times ethicist Chuck Klosterman responds to a question. A mother wants to know if the school can demand as part of homework that a student take some political action supporting a particular cause.
The answer is no. Which I agree with.
My problem is I don't want to waste any time fighting with a local school district over overt actions like this, and to be constantly on guard for all the subtle ways the schools are trying to influence how children think about various causes.
I think it is easier to homeschool than to fight with the government schools.
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