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I think both Ms. Quist and The Rake are jumping in fear based on the shadows cast by their respective political backlights. It's an interesting idea, but whose dangers neither merit Ms. Quist's hysteria, nor is it some sort of grape panacea that we should all drink without question.

1) The idea of a reletively standardized 'benchmarking' of students is great. As we see, there is tremendous variability in the quality of education provided from region to region, state to state, and country to country. Proposing the standards as presented by IB (and for school districts to say "yes, we meet these standards") is useful for parents, and probably will lead to a better education for students.

2) Unfunded mandates are stupid: the IB states in its own documents that the training and 'certfication' are at the expense of the school district. Obviously, this must be an option for the school to do (or not). The idea that tests are sent to Geneva for scoring is REALLY stupid. I *work* for a European company, I know intimately that deep misunderstandings can take place in the simplest exchanges between native English speakers and extremely-fluent non-native speakers. This is a recipe for disaster.

3) I agree with Ms. Quist that, taken literally, the IBOs 'globalist' agenda (the UN, the Earth Charter) is contrary to the intent and literal terms of the founding documents of this country. Ms. Quist's objections are founded primarily on religion, mine stem from a more libertarian view of the role of government (minimalist according to our Founding Fathers, interventionist and hegemonic according to the UN) in the life of individuals. But on the other hand, we're talking about 'statements of principle' that agree with 'statements of principle' of 'statements of principle' - buried 3 orders deep, does this genuinely pose a threat? I'd suggest not. Rather, I' even argue that a subtle review of these distinctions would make for a very interesting 12th grade social studies unit.

The premise of the United States is that of a REPUBLIC. The primary power comes from the localities and states, NOT flowing out from the central font of government. The IBOs European view of the role of government SHOULD be mitigated before presentation to our students.

While the IBO has some very nicely standardized curricular ideals, and may serve as a useful benchmark, as a voluntary program it neither mandates the paranoid fears of EdWatch, nor is it a purple kool-aide which should be drunk unquestioningly, as apparently The Rake would prefer.

It's too bad the Strib doesn't cover Edwatch a bit more. If you look at the Edwatch website, they are for supporting the "homosexual agenda in the schools" and pushing the "nanny state".

Michele Bachmann and Edwatch are joined at the hip.

http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2006/06/anti-gay-activist-group-attacks-t...

http://dumpbachmann.blogspot.com/2006/06/6th-district-republican-resolut...