HB2489 - Educ Bill Mandates Universities & Colleges Grant College Credit for UN High School Program

ARRA Editorial: Rep. Horace Hardwick (R-Bentonville) introduced HB2489. It mandates that AR state institutions of higher education grant at least twenty-four (24) semester credit hours or equivalent course credit in subject areas to an entering freshman student who have successfully completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBP). IBP is ta United Nations (UN) global program designed to influence students "away from" patriotism and Christian values. In the program, 11th and 12th grade tests are sent to Beijing China, Venezuela, and other countries to be graded (per a Hot Springs' school official). Hot Springs is the only district in Arkansas to implement the IBP district wide and now has a 67% college remediation rate and their graduation rate has fallen to 56%.

The State Legislature should not be mandating that Arkansas Universities grant college credit for high school programs. Some people have lost the understanding that high school programs are designed for the minds of teenagers (average ages 14-17). The majority of students are not - repeat not capable of completing College level courses - let alone 24 or more credit hours of college while in high school. To mandate that the IBP high school courses be granted college credit (just shy of a full year's credit) is both working a "slight of hands" on our educational system and lowering academic standards.

Also, this UN program which promotes one-world views as a baseline for American education is a travesty. Have some Arkansans become so gullible to think that this UN developed program which is accepted and taught in depressed countries of the would, taught in emerging nations of the world and taught in nations of the world that are diametrically opposed to our national viewpoint should be a primary part of our education system? Granting credit at both high school and college levels for the IBP program would be an even bigger travesty.
The IBP program is a "social engineering" program created by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a UN organization in Geneva, Switzerland. IBO "has endorsed the Earth Charter – an earth-centered collection of global principles which honor global political-ethical-moral and spiritual unification. The UN Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) provided the funding to create the IBO program. In one of its first efforts in 1949, the UNESCO textbook, titled "Toward World Understanding" said, "As long as the child breathes the poisoned air of nationalism, education in world-mindedness can produce only rather precarious results. ... it is frequently the family that infects the child with extreme nationalism."

What are others saying? School board members in a Minnesota district called it anti-American and anti-Christian. In New Jersey, members of a school board argued it's a waste of money. A suburban Pittsburgh school district abolished it over questions of politics and cost. Critics argue that IBO's multicultural themes promote values that conflict with traditional Judeo-Christian values. One teacher objected because of IBO's endorsement of the Earth Charter which calls for sustainability of the Earth through responsible reproduction and wealth distribution. Many opponents have called it Marxist. Jeanne Geiger, Reston, Va., wrote, "Administrators do not tell you that the current IBP for ages 3 through grade 12 promotes socialism, disarmament, radical environmentalism and moral relativism, while attempting to undermine Christian religious values and national sovereignty."

We encourage all to oppose HB2489. Rep. Hardwick told the press that the bill was "needed to give gifted and talented students in Arkansas high schools incentive to stay in Arkansas for college. Students from Bentonville are going to the Univ. of Tulsa where they can get college credit for their Bentonville High School IBP classes." Hardwick is a member of the Board of Trustees N.W. AR Community College. Has he advocated this educational strategy at the college? Obviously, the Univ of Tulsa may elect to "waters down" their degree programs. Should Hardwick's proposal be approved to do the same at Arkansas colleges? Hardwick bio relates his affiliation with Fellowship Bible Church in Bentonville. In good conscious, how can he advocate for college credit for a UN program designed to undermine both Christianity and United States of America?

We hope that Rep. Hardwick will withdraw his presumptive bill. We encourage each reader to contact their senator and representative and to oppose this bill. The bill is currently before members of the House Education Committee. See Also: Legislators question course work in college-credit program measure
- IBO – A Controversial UN Global Education Program That Conflicts With Judeo-Christian Values
- IBO wants total disarmament
- Jonesboro School District Backs off International Baccalaureate Program
- Schools limited with International Baccalaureate Program

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Tags: Arkansas, Arkansas Republican Assembly, ARRA, House, House Education Committee, IBO, IBP, International Baccalaureate Program To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!