The Future Of All American Children Is In Trouble.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

http://cbs11tv.com/business/education/Texa....2.1557086.html

AUSTIN (AP) ― The Texas State Board of Education agreed to new social studies standards on Friday

after the far-right faction wielded its power to shape the lessons that will be taught to millions of students on American history, the U.S. free enterprise system, religion and other topics.

In a vote of 10-5, the board preliminarily adopted the new curriculum after days of charged debate marked by race and politics. In dozens of smaller votes passed over the three days, the ultra-conservatives who dominate the board nixed all but a few efforts to recognize the diversity of race and religion in Texas.

Decisions by the board — long led by the social conservatives who have advocated ideas such as teaching more about the weaknesses of evolutionary theory — affects textbook content nationwide because Texas is one of publishers' biggest clients.

As part of the new curriculum, the elected board — made up of lawyers, a dentist and a weekly newspaper publisher among others — rejected an attempt to ensure that children learn why the U.S. was founded on the principle of religious freedom.

But, it agreed to strengthen nods to Christianity by adding references to "laws of nature and nature's God" to a section in U.S. history that requires students to explain major political ideas.

They also agreed to strike the word "democratic" in references to the form of U.S. government, opting instead to call it a "constitutional republic."

In addition to learning the Bill of Rights, the board specified a reference to the Second Amendment right to bear arms in a section about citizenship in a U.S. government class and agreed to require economics students to "analyze the decline of the U.S. dollar including abandonment of the gold standard."

Conservatives beat back multiple attempts to include hip-hop as an example of a significant cultural movement that already includes country music.

"We have been about conservatism versus liberalism," said Democrat Mavis Knight of Dallas, explaining her vote against the standards. "We have manipulated strands to insert what we want it to be in the document, regardless as to whether or not it's appropriate."

Republican Terri Leo, a member of the powerful Christian conservative voting bloc, called the standards "world class" and "exceptional."

Over the past three days, the board also argued over how historic periods should be classified (still B.C. and A.D., rather than B.C.E. and C.E.); whether or not students should be required to explain the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on global politics (they will); and whether former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir should be required learning (she will).

Numerous attempts to add the names or references to important Hispanics throughout history also were denied, inducing one amendment that would specify that Tejanos died at the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.

A day earlier, longtime board member Mary Helen Berlanga accused her colleagues of "whitewashing" the standards and walked out of the panel's meeting in frustration. Berlanga voted against the standards on Friday.

Berlanga also bristled when the board approved an amendment that deletes a requirement that sociology students "explain how institutional racism is evident in American society."

The three-day meeting that began Wednesday was the first since voters in last week's Republican primary handed defeats to two veteran conservatives, including former board chairman Don McLeroy, who lost to a moderate GOP lobbyist. Two other conservatives — a Republican and a Democrat — did not seek re-election. All four terms end in January.

McLeroy, a 10-year board veteran, has been one of the most prolific and polarizing members. The devout Christian conservative has been adamant on several issues, including that the Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers are important to studying American history.

In Texas alone, the board's decisions will set guideposts for teaching history and social studies to some 4.8 million K-12 students during the next 10 years. In almost six hours of public testimony on Wednesday, the board heard repeated pleas that the Christian heritage of the U.S. be reflected in the new standards as well as other requests that students learn more Hispanic examples of prominent historic figures.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

agreed to require economics students to "analyze the decline of the U.S. dollar including abandonment of the gold standard."

This is about the only part that I truly agree with them on.

How in the hell are they going to push the Christian thing and not point out religious diversity/reasons why we have our freedoms? Damn nutters.

[Danno 1,228]

You think religious diversity is the reason we have our freedoms?

what do you base that on?

-------------------------------------------

On the other hand we hear this same exact complaining whenever California chooses a text book, I am thinkin they have a much bigger contract when placing an order(therefore even more influence.)..... and you can imagine the liberal cabal on those boards, if texas is swinging it back a bit... I say -Good for them.

[Danno 1,228]

I couldn't help but enjoy the ASSOCIATED PRESS meltdown reporting.

YOu know the ones where they use description such as.... Far Right faction, Ultra RIght, Powerful Christians ands CHristian conservative voting block to paint the picture of one side... and simply "Democrats" when referring to the other.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

when all american children go to texas schools, only then will this thread have an accurate title.

[scandal 951]

when all american children go to texas schools, only then will this thread have an accurate title.

At least Texas will still have schools. From what I hear on the news, Kansas City is about to close most of its.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

At least Texas will still have schools. From what I hear on the news, Kansas City is about to close most of its.

i don't live there

[scandal 951]

i don't live there

So what's the weather like in Viagra Falls at this time of year?

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

So what's the weather like in Viagra Falls at this time of year?

we had a hard winter.........

[scandal 951]

we had a hard winter.........

Be careful. The sap is flowing and the rapids are gushing in the springtime.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Be careful. The sap is flowing and the rapids are gushing in the springtime.

before too long, the woods are gonna start sprouting.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

when all american children go to texas schools, only then will this thread have an accurate title.

Actually, since Texas is the largest purchaser of Textbooks in the country, Texas gets to decide the curriculum pretty much for the rest of the country as well. The publishers end up selling the Texas approved books all throughout the nation...

I couldn't help but enjoy the ASSOCIATED PRESS meltdown reporting.

YOu know the ones where they use description such as.... Far Right faction, Ultra RIght, Powerful Christians ands CHristian conservative voting block to paint the picture of one side... and simply "Democrats" when referring to the other.

That's not an AP thing... They even call themselves that... It's kind of a well known fact of who they are...

[luckytxn 2,264]

It was not really that long ago when the Socialists controlled the board and refused to let any Neocon ideas prevail. Now they are whining that they are being shut out. Guess they don't remember their own history.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

How I still feel about the issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHeXm7t-aAY

Edited March 21, 2010 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[Martyshk 137]

Can we haz another Scopes trial, kk?