Should teachers be aloud to promote their personal political beliefs in the classroom? (college, schools)

[SXMGirl]

Teachers and professors in public institutions should not promote either their political views nor their religious views. Students need to become independent thinkers, and most of them get both political and religious views at home.

[neutrino]

My professors (other than one) did a good job in keeping their political views from infiltrating their lectures. But from working closely with them, it was clear that they were disappointed in the lack of funding for their research and what they perceived as government antipathy towards the sciences.

[MooksterL1]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Teachers and professors in public institutions should not promote either their political views nor their religious views. Students need to become independent thinkers, and most of them get both political and religious views at home.

I completely agree with this post!

My oldest is only 7, but I always tell him that although we (parents, grandparents, etc) would never lie to him intentionally, when it comes to religion and politics he needs to think, listen and read as much as possible so that he can decide for himself what he believes. And since teachers are authority figures in their students eyes, when they speak on any topic it is often taken as an absolute fact and not subject to question.

[zman0]

Originally Posted by neutrino

My professors (other than one) did a good job in keeping their political views from infiltrating their lectures. But from working closely with them, it was clear that they were disappointed in the lack of funding for their research and what they perceived as government antipathy towards the sciences.

With the competitiveness in scientific funding and the ego of university professors, it's not surprising that professors see it as the fault of the government when their super-important-to-save-the-world research gets turned down.

Especially when the money goes to research which has no real value and is a waste of resources.

Because every professor's research is the best idea ever, and everyone else's is worthless.

[PurpleLove08]

I'm all for teachers promoting their personal beliefs in the classroom as long as they agree with me.

In all seriousness, I don't mind professors professing their beliefs as long as their beliefs don't prevent them from grading every student fairly.

One of my big fears as an atheist and a lesbian is that one of my professors will grade me unfairly because of this.

[Charles Wallace]

Originally Posted by Luke55113

I would like to find out what fellow people think about teachers who promote personal political beliefs in the classroom. Is it acceptable at all? Is their a time and a place for teachers to share personal political views in class? Are their certain classes where this is acceptable and others where it is not? I am a college student in the Twin Cities and I would be very interested to hear the opinions of others.

I think it depends upon the age of the student and the context of the class. Obviously, the younger the students are, the less I think it is at all appropriate. If it's in high school or college, especially if it's in debate, government, or history, I think it makes more sense, but I think the teacher should do so tactfully and make it very, very clear that such opinions are her or his opinions and that other opinions are welcome and will not be discriminated against nor graded down.

Personally, I tell my students they will never know my religion (or lack of it) or my political views, and that I can and will argue both sides of the fence because the purpose is not for them to agree with me, but to think for themselves.

[babigyrl5]

I think if they want to provide facilitation on political beliefs thats fine, but they shouldnt interject their own. Play devils advocate if anything just for a healthy debate, but they shouldnt say which side they are on. And all this is only if it is relevant to the lesson, I dont think politics should be taught in say, physics lol

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by Luke55113

I think your school is much like most schools across the nation, where most students relate to the teacher's mindset. This is the main reason I think it is wrong, because most students are conditioned to agree with their teachers. I am a conservative as well, and I would be just as upset about this if most teachers where conservative instead of liberal. I have had Science and English teachers try to make their personal political forum a part of the curriculum in class. It is frusterating because I often stand alone in trying to weed out a teachers personal biased, and have even suffered in my grades. The problem is I cannot prove that a teacher graded me on a political biased, I have thought of talking to the Dean about this matter, but as my teachers where both tenured they seemed untouchable. I feel as though I stand alone in this fight, because most of my fellow students don't care, agree with the teachers views and therfore don't want them to stop, or have simply accepted that colleges are liberal institutions and one must conform to that mindset in order to pass with high marks.

I know a high school teacher who let's students know what her views are, but she doesn't take points away for their beliefs. I think students are more engaged in the process because they go to the Internet and look up things to support their positions.

[newflowers]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

I'm all for teachers promoting their personal beliefs in the classroom as long as they agree with me.

In all seriousness, I don't mind professors professing their beliefs as long as their beliefs don't prevent them from grading every student fairly.

One of my big fears as an atheist and a lesbian is that one of my professors will grade me unfairly because of this.

It seems to me the objections are that professors do not agree. I have to wonder, if the professor did agree with the student, would there be a complaint?

[onevthoki]

Originally Posted by Luke55113

I would like to find out what fellow people think about teachers who promote personal political beliefs in the classroom. Is it acceptable at all? Is their a time and a place for teachers to share personal political views in class? Are their certain classes where this is acceptable and others where it is not? I am a college student in the Twin Cities and I would be very interested to hear the opinions of others.

At this point, I just want our colleges teaching proper grammar and spelling.