Literacy is not a fundamental right.

[avebury]

The State of Michigan wants a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to establish a constitutional right to literacy.

"The United States Supreme Court and Michigan courts recognize the importance of literacy," state lawyers wrote in a response last week to a suit filed on behalf of Detroit school children. "But as important as literacy may be, the United States Supreme Court has unambiguously rejected the claim that public education is a fundamental right under the Constitution. Literacy is a component or particular outcome of education, not a right granted to individuals by the Constitution.


The lawsuit filed Sept. 13 on behalf of seven Detroit schoolchildren claims the State of Michigan has failed to provide them with basic literacy, a foundation of all education and a precursor to active citizenship. It asks the federal courts to order remedies, including "evidence-based literacy reforms," a systemic approach to instruction and intervention as well as fixes to crumbling Detroit schools.

The Constitution makes no mention of literacy, but the suit argues that it is a right because without it, citizens can't access other constitutionally protected activities such as casting an informed vote, or serving on juries or in the military. The suit targeted the state because it has appointed emergency managers to run the Detroit Public Schools in recent years.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. No, it is not a Constitutinal right unless the Supreme Court declares it to be. But...

it is a human right so basic that is should not have to be written down anywhere.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Another Example of Folks Missing The Big 4 Words in The Constitution

"Promote the General Welfare". A literate populace promotes the general welfare. What part of that phrase, EXPLICITLY in the Constitution, is so difficult to grasp that these "strict constructionists" keep missing it?

[Yavin4]

4. You have to be literate to understand it.

That's some catch. That Catch-22.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Yeah, But The Lawyers Who Take These Positions Are?

So, they're literate and oblivious. I guess knowing how to read doesn't directly correlate to critical thought.

[Hortensis]

3. Federal prohibition of compulsory education laws is on the agenda

of some of the dark-money forces using Trump to gain power. Once SCOTUS makes compulsory education illegal in all states and territories, they intend to strike down taxation for public schools as the next step in the destruction of public education.

"Charles Koch's vision: that government's only legitimate role was to 'serve as a night watchman, to protect individuals and property from outside threat, including fraud. That is the maximum...' " Jane Mayer quoting a Charles Koch speech in Dark Money

[Solly Mack]

5. I guess they think igorance is then.

SMH