Revolutionary War Turning Points and the Battle for Classical Education

On October 26, 2022, Kim Monson explores pivotal moments in American history and the ongoing battle for educational freedom with historian Ben Martin, former Douglas County School Board director Steve Peck, and Ascent Classical Academies director Kim Gilmartin.

Turning Points of the American Revolution

Start listening at 17:08 – Hour 1

Ben Martin, former Army Ranger and West Point graduate, traces the critical turning points that shaped American independence. The patriotic historian explains how the 1777 Saratoga campaign became the war’s pivotal moment, bringing France into the conflict as allies. Martin reveals the personal ambitions and political maneuvering of British generals like William Howe and “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne that ultimately contributed to their defeat.

Martin examines George Washington’s leadership during the Philadelphia campaign, including the setbacks at Brandywine and Germantown. Despite critics attempting to undermine his command, Washington maintained his composure and vision. The transformation at Valley Forge, where Baron von Steuben trained the Continental Army into a professional fighting force, set the stage for future victories.

The discussion reveals how General Charles Lee’s insubordination at the Battle of Monmouth nearly cost the Americans a crucial victory, forcing Washington to personally rally the troops. Martin emphasizes that Washington’s steady character and virtue, despite tremendous pressure from detractors, proved essential to the revolution’s success.

“And the thing that’s really important, Kim, to understand about all this stuff is that all of these things weren’t just easy things to do. And had they not happened, we could have lost the war easily. And by losing the war, we would have lost our country, and we wouldn’t have the country we have today.”

Ben Martin, Patriotic Historian

Colorado’s Classical Education Movement Faces Political Resistance

Start listening at 59:05 – Hour 2

Steve Peck, former Douglas County School Board director and current Ascent Classical Academy board member, sounds the alarm on Colorado’s education crisis. Recent Wall Street Journal data shows math scores declining in every state except Utah, while only 40 percent of Colorado third graders read at grade level. Peck argues that pandemic school closures wiped out 30 years of reading advancement.

The discussion turns to the critical State Board of Education races, with Peck identifying candidates Dan Malloy, Molly Lamar, and Peggy Prost as essential to turning the tide for educational choice. These races determine whether charter schools can appeal unfair denials by local school boards that prioritize union interests over student outcomes.

“All of these candidates, they fundamentally believe in choice. But more than that, they believe that schools should be teaching kids how to think, not what to think. It’s a big, big distinction there.”

Steve Peck, Former Douglas County School Board Director

Charter School Denied Despite Parent Demand

Start listening at 73:57 – Hour 2

Kim Gilmartin, Director of New School Development for Ascent Classical Academies, describes the political roadblocks facing classical education in Colorado. A proposed Durango charter school with over 650 students from hundreds of families was denied in a party-line 4-3 State Board of Education vote, with all Democrats voting against the application.

Gilmartin contrasts Ascent’s curriculum, which emphasizes virtue, classic literature, cursive, phonics, and Latin, with district schools focused on ideological agendas. She notes that Ascent schools remained open during COVID without mask mandates, suffering none of the learning losses plaguing district schools. State Board member Steve Durham warned parents that local school boards maintain an iron grip on outcomes that ignores parent preferences.

“Our curriculum is very, very different than what you’re going to find at a typical district school. We stay out of the politics that don’t belong in a classroom, out of the indoctrination that doesn’t belong there. And we go back to basics.”

Kim Gilmartin, Director of New School Development, Ascent Classical Academies