2 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Having taught for 20 years at the high school and college levels, I take the topic of teacher bias very seriously. I have witnessed more and more, the slanting of curriculum and delivery in order to sway young minds toward certain viewpoints. Those who view teaching as a way to convince people WHAT to think are in the wrong field. They need to take up politics. Teachers are to teach people HOW to think for THEMSELVES.

These folks who bias their curriculum will never go INTO politics however, because in that arena, the "other side" is well versed and can argue just as effectively if not more so, to the weaknesses of a person's viewpoints. So they stay in education, where young minds can be bullied into believing whatever message is being force fed on that particular day- whether it be global warming, Nixon was really a good guy, historical atrocities.

It corrupts education further because when teacher bias exists, it is also for the purpose of professor exaltation. They want to be seen as an educated authority on a particular issue. True educators would rather delight in the accomplishments of those they have taught. Those who use bias tend to throw around degrees and accomplishments, publishings and public appearances, rather than just presenting both sides of something and being confident enough in their learners to make choices for themselves. If their propaganda is REALLY that obvious and overwhelming, why do students need "steering"? Self aggrandizement and pride do not belong in education.

Another reason for teacher bias is lack of knowledge. This further corrupts education because as ironic as it might sound, many teachers are just re-delivering the same propaganda they themselves were taught when their minds were young and unquestioning. They are too fearful to actually investigate the other side of the argument to see if any validity exists, or too stubborn and closed-minded to admit other possibilities. Another irony is that those who question their "truth" are labeled closed-minded. People who feel threatened when their viewpoint is challenged, and are not willing to investigate the other side of the argument with an open mind should not be in education either.

Finally, teacher bias corrupts education because it discriminates. Teachers who do not trumpet the viewpoint of a particular institution or department head, are passed over for promotion or even dismissed. This is the ultimate corruption, because it leads to a perpetuation of the same mentality for the next generation of educators. In a perfect world, a teaching staff would be balanced in their viewpoints on major issues. For instance, I never had ONE political science professor that actually liked the United States government system. You'd think there would be at least one of the 6 different professors I had who could speak well of SOMETHING our government did. With a balance comes open discussion, alternative views that are given credibility, and true learning.

Being force fed one side of an issue for recitation and perhaps even life long allegiance is NOT learning. Any instructor who attempts this is nothing more than the closed minded propaganda distributor they often accuse others who disagree with them of being.

Learn more about this author, Tim Driver.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Teacher bias: Corrupting education??
We want to hear your view. Write now!