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Opinion
ENLARGE
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Some residents are applying political motivations to International Baccalaureate, arguing the program has historical connections to the United Nations, while others claim the program is apolitical.
“IB promotes the creation of global citizens,” said Incline resident Willy Krusell, who considers himself a conservative. “I agree with (Utah State Sen. Margaret Dayton) when she says ‘I want American citizens who function well in the world rather than global citizens.'”
Krusell said America is in the midst of a war with Islamic radicals and it is not the right time to promote international camaraderie or global oversight.
Krusell said IB promotes liberal agendas regarding issues such as global warming, social justice, Earth Day, forest preservation and UN sovereignty.
“IB is intensely political,” he said. “It reshapes kids values, makes them globally attuned and interested in social justice and other things that sound good, but don't help the U.S. compete with India or China.”
Some Incline residents feel so strongly about IB's potential impacts on their children, they are prepared to leave Incline Village.
“My three kids (7,9,12) will not attend an IB school,” said Chad Miraglia, Incline resident. “If that means moving or commuting to Reno or elsewhere, that is what we will do.”
Nathan Hamilton — president of International Baccalaureate Incline Village, the nonprofit created to raise money to pay for additional teachers needed to teach IB-specific foreign language classes — disagreed.
Hamilton — who considers himself a conservative — said IB pushes kids to think for themselves and does not favor one side of the political spectrum.
“The Texas Board of Education is engaged in a battle for what facts we should teach to children,” he said. “IB is not concerned with what facts are taught, but it cultivates the ability to employ critical thinking.
“IB doesn't have a political point of view.”
Hamilton cites the fact that IB is taught in both Iran and Israel, two countries that rarely agree on anything.
Hamilton said the United States military uses IB programs for their children when stationed overseas.
When asked if the Washoe County School District is implementing IB at Incline's schools for political reasons, district spokesman Steve Mulvenon said no.
“IB teaches you how to think, not what to think,” he said.
“IB promotes the creation of global citizens,” said Incline resident Willy Krusell, who considers himself a conservative. “I agree with (Utah State Sen. Margaret Dayton) when she says ‘I want American citizens who function well in the world rather than global citizens.'”
Krusell said America is in the midst of a war with Islamic radicals and it is not the right time to promote international camaraderie or global oversight.
Krusell said IB promotes liberal agendas regarding issues such as global warming, social justice, Earth Day, forest preservation and UN sovereignty.
“IB is intensely political,” he said. “It reshapes kids values, makes them globally attuned and interested in social justice and other things that sound good, but don't help the U.S. compete with India or China.”
Some Incline residents feel so strongly about IB's potential impacts on their children, they are prepared to leave Incline Village.
“My three kids (7,9,12) will not attend an IB school,” said Chad Miraglia, Incline resident. “If that means moving or commuting to Reno or elsewhere, that is what we will do.”
Nathan Hamilton — president of International Baccalaureate Incline Village, the nonprofit created to raise money to pay for additional teachers needed to teach IB-specific foreign language classes — disagreed.
Hamilton — who considers himself a conservative — said IB pushes kids to think for themselves and does not favor one side of the political spectrum.
“The Texas Board of Education is engaged in a battle for what facts we should teach to children,” he said. “IB is not concerned with what facts are taught, but it cultivates the ability to employ critical thinking.
“IB doesn't have a political point of view.”
Hamilton cites the fact that IB is taught in both Iran and Israel, two countries that rarely agree on anything.
Hamilton said the United States military uses IB programs for their children when stationed overseas.
When asked if the Washoe County School District is implementing IB at Incline's schools for political reasons, district spokesman Steve Mulvenon said no.
“IB teaches you how to think, not what to think,” he said.
