Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community
Rose Grozdanic emailed and suggested I pass on this link about "Business-Managed Democracy." The website, by Sharon Beder, a visiting professor at the University of Wollongong, describes institutions, including schools, "in which the political and cultural arrangements are managed in the interests of business." She writes, "Business coalitions have persuaded governments around the world to turn schools into competing business enterprises where children are drilled and tested on a narrow range of skills. Despite their declining contribution to the costs of schooling, businesses are taking control of more and more aspects of schooling, not only to produce submissive employees with basic literacy and numeracy skills, but also to prevent the development of critical thinking skills. They are seeking to erode public schooling, as well as promote consumer values and business viewpoints and ideology." In related news, the widely criticized 'Common Core' standards are gaining traction across the United States.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 02:08 a.m.

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