FLORIDA AND OKLAHOMA FLAT EARTHER REJOICE: POLITICIANS DEFUND CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAMS
In a move that can only be described as "not to be outdone by Oklahoma," Florida has decided to defund voucher support for schools that teach Chinese language and culture. Because, you know, the Chinese supporting education programs in America is just too scary for some people. It seems that the fear of learning about world cultures, histories, and languages is enough to excite the base of politicians like Oklahoma's State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who is running for governor, and Florida's own Governor Ron DeSantis, who may have his sights set on a presidential run.
The Florida Department of Education recently made the decision to suspend scholarships for four schools, including the Sagemont Preparatory schools in Weston, due to their alleged "direct ties to the Chinese communist party." Governor DeSantis, ever the master of suspense, did not provide any details on the investigation but assured the public that these connections pose an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the students. Because apparently, learning Chinese is just that dangerous.
Earlier this year, Governor DeSantis signed SB 846 into law, which prohibits any school affiliated with a foreign country of concern from participating in Florida's School Choice scholarship programs. Because, you know, we can't have our children learning about other cultures and languages. That's just too risky. Who knows what kind of trouble they could get into if they knew more about the world around them?
But fear not, dear readers, for there is hope. Weston's Sagemont Preparatory School has denied these allegations and claims that they were not even contacted before their scholarship funds were suspended. It seems that someone may have jumped the gun on this one. Perhaps they were just too eager to show their base that they were tough on China. Or maybe they just really don't like the idea of kids expanding their horizons and learning about different cultures.
In fact, it seems that this fear of learning about the world extends beyond just Florida. Oklahoma's own State Superintendent Ryan Walters has claimed that Tulsa Public Schools are linked to the Chinese Communist Party and receiving money from the Chinese government. However, TPS officials have denied these allegations and there is no evidence to support Walters' claims. It appears that he may have been caught up in a web of speculation and innuendo, with no credible evidence to back him up.
It's truly a strange world we live in when learning about other cultures and languages is something to be feared. But hey, who needs a well-rounded education when you can just stick to what you know? After all, ignorance is bliss, right?
So here's to you, Florida and Oklahoma. May your fear of the unknown continue to guide your decisions and keep your citizens in the dark. Because who needs enlightenment when you can have fear instead?
Florida Department of Education suspends scholarships for Weston school due to alleged ties to China https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/09/24/florida-department-of-education-suspends-scholarships-for-weston-school-due-to-alleged-ties-to-china/
Florida suspends 4 schools from scholarship program over China ties – NBC 6 South Florida https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/weston-school-among-those-suspended-from-scholarship-program-over-china-ties/3118951/
Big Education Ape: OKLA SSPI RYAN WALTERS SAYS TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE LINKED TO CHINESE COMMUNIST https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/okla-sspi-ryan-walters-say-tulsa-public.html
Big Education Ape: CURMUDGUCATION: US Education versus Confucius https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2020/10/curmudgucation-us-education-versus.html
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
Sagemont Preparatory School is a private college preparatory school in Weston, Florida. It was founded in 1965 and has a student body of over 1,000 students from grades 6-12. The school has a strong academic reputation and is known for its rigorous coursework and demanding schedule.
Sagemont Preparatory School has been criticized for its ties to China. In 2019, the school signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chinese government to establish a Confucius Institute on its campus. Confucius Institutes are language and cultural centers that are funded by the Chinese government. They have been criticized for promoting Chinese propaganda and censorship.
The MOU between Sagemont Preparatory School and the Chinese government was signed in the presence of the Chinese Consul General in Miami. The Consul General praised the school for its commitment to teaching Chinese language and culture. He also said that the Confucius Institute would help to strengthen ties between China and the United States.
However, some critics have argued that the Confucius Institute at Sagemont Preparatory School will be used to promote Chinese propaganda and censorship. They also say that the school's ties to China could pose a security risk.
In 2020, the FBI warned that Confucius Institutes are being used by the Chinese government to collect intelligence and spread propaganda. The FBI also said that Confucius Institutes are a threat to academic freedom.
Sagemont Preparatory School has defended its ties to China. The school says that the Confucius Institute will provide students with an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and language. The school also says that it is committed to academic freedom and will not allow the Chinese government to interfere with its curriculum.
However, some critics remain concerned about Sagemont Preparatory School's ties to China. They say that the school is putting its students at risk by partnering with a government that has a history of human rights abuses.
Here are some specific concerns that have been raised about Sagemont Preparatory School's ties to China:
- * The Chinese government has a history of using Confucius Institutes to promote its propaganda and censorship.
- * The Confucius Institute at Sagemont Preparatory School could pose a security risk, as the Chinese government could use it to collect intelligence on students and faculty.
- * Sagemont Preparatory School's ties to China could make it difficult for the school to maintain its academic freedom.
It is important to note that these are just concerns, and there is no evidence that Sagemont Preparatory School is actually engaged in any of the activities that have been alleged. However, it is important to be aware of these concerns before making a decision about whether or not to enroll your child in Sagemont Preparatory School.
FROM BING AI
The Sagemont Preparatory School Florida controversy is a recent development that involves the suspension of four schools from the state's school choice scholarship program due to their alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Here is a summary of the main points:
- - On September 22, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) to suspend the availability of school choice scholarships to four schools that have direct ties to the CCP¹. The schools are Lower and Upper Sagemont Preparatory Schools in Weston, Parke House Academy in Winter Park, and Park Maitland School in Winter Park¹.
- - The FDOE has determined that the schools' connections to the CCP constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the students and the public¹. The Department is working with the non-profit scholarship funding organizations to assist impacted students in finding and enrolling in nearby eligible schools¹.
- - The suspension is based on a law that was signed by Governor DeSantis on May 8, 2023, which prohibits any school affiliated with a foreign country of concern from participating in Florida's school choice scholarship programs¹. The law also bans "Confucius Institutes", which are seen as propaganda centers for the CCP¹.
- - The governor's office did not provide any details on the nature or extent of the schools' ties to the CCP, only saying that they were discovered through a thorough investigation². Local 10 News reached out to Sagemont administration for comment, but they said they were not contacted in advance and were seeking more information regarding the basis for the decision².
- - The suspension has sparked controversy and criticism from some parents, students, and educators who claim that the schools have no affiliation with the CCP and that the decision was politically motivated and unfair³⁴⁵. They argue that the schools provide high-quality education and have no influence from any foreign entity³⁴⁵. They also question the validity and transparency of the investigation and demand evidence for the allegations³⁴⁵.
Bing, 9/25/2023
- (1) Florida Takes Action Against Four Florida Schools with Ties to the .... https://www.flgov.com/2023/09/22/florida-takes-action-against-four-florida-schools-with-ties-to-the-chinese-communist-party/.
- (2) Florida Department of Education suspends scholarships for Weston school .... https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/09/24/florida-department-of-education-suspends-scholarships-for-weston-school-due-to-alleged-ties-to-china/.
- (3) Weston prep schools among 4 suspended from voucher program - Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/09/22/desantis-drops-sagemont-prep-campuses-other-schools-from-voucher-programs-because-of-china-ties/.
- (4) DeSantis drops Sagemont Prep campuses, other schools from voucher .... https://broward.us/2023/09/23/desantis-drops-sagemont-prep-campuses-other-schools-from-voucher-programs-because-of-china-ties/.
- (5) Florida suspends scholarships for 4 schools with ‘ties to Chinese .... https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/09/22/florida-suspends-scholarships-for-4-schools-with-ties-to-chinese-communist-party/.
