Texas Approves Curriculum Revised by Conservatives

[matt819]

Source: New York Times

<snip>
After three days of turbulent meetings, the Texas Board of Education on Friday voted to approve a social studies curriculum that will put a conservative stamp on history and economics textbooks, stressing the role of Christianity in American history and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light.

The vote was 11 to 4, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat voting for the curriculum, and four Democrats voting against.

The board, whose members are elected, has influence beyond Texas because the state is one of the largest purchasers of textbooks. In the digital age, however, that influence has been diminished as technological advances have made it possible for publishers to tailor books to individual states.
<snip>

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/education/13texas.html?hp

---

America continues its astounding slide to the bottom. These students, and others forced to use these revised textbooks, will find themselves out of luck when it comes to applying to anything other than RW and/or Christian fundamentalist institutions. Conservative economics. Conservative history. I just can't wait to see how they pull this off. And you can be pretty damn sure that these contracts for writing and publishing will go to friends and relatives. What a crock.

Picture one of these students going for a college interview at a top school and tries to explain how the earth is 6,000 years old. Evolution is nonsense because it's only a theory.

One of the arguments that has been used in the past regarding outsourcing mfg jobs is that this is okay because the design and engineering is done in the US because we have the best and brightest. Not any more.

[JackintheGreen]

1. Ah, but "The dumb and the dimmest" hasn't the same ring to it.n/t

[WCGreen]

2. Well, this really disappoints me...

If I had children I would seriously consider home schooling if my district adopted these text books...

[LeftinOH]

3. Fair enough: Conservatives were willing to tear the country apart to hang on to

slavery; Conservatives opposed social security; Conservatives opposed civil rights; Conservaties opposed Womens's Suffrage; Conservatives oppose birth control, etc. etc... Students *should* learn that conservatives always stand in the way of progress in this country -and they usually manage to find some religious pretext for doing so. Of course, this perspective about conservatives is probably not what the kids in Texas are going to get.

[RedCloud]

11. And we won't hear how Republican Lincoln fought against the South!

[darkstar3]

65. You should never forget that the parties have flipped.

Republicans and Democrats are still the names we use, but in the first half of the 20th century, those names came to represent opposite ideals.

And it's happening again, very slowly, but very surely.

Today's Republican party is most definitely NOT the party of Lincoln.

[Winterblues]

71. Republican yes, Conservative, hardly....

:shrug:

[SharonAnn]

17. Today's conservatives are like those who supported the monarchy during the Revolution.

Really.

Here are a few more samples.

In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", Jimmy Stewart is the liberal Democrat and Mr. Potter is the conservative Republican.

In the American Revolution, the revolutionists were the liberal Democrats and the British and American monarchists were the conservative Republicans.

In the New Testament, Jesus was the liberal Democrat and the money-changers in the temple were the conservative Republicans.

In the New Testament, Jesus was the liberal Democrat and the Romans and the Sanhedrin who put him to death were the conservative Republicans.

[Alcibiades]

30. It should surprise no one

They are temperamentally and philosophically descended from the Tories: the modern conservative is much like them, but much less thoughtful. Their religiosity would have dictated that they obey established religious authority, which, in the colonies as in most of Europe, upheld the divine right of kings. It is only by rewriting history that they can call themselves the descendants of the free-thinking, deist, liberal, libertarian, anti-militaristic founders.

[callous taoboy]

4. Texas teacher here: Don't worry too much- Plenty of lefty teachers to balance it out.

Plus we are moving away from using textbooks, so their revised textbook will be collecting dust most days.

[Lifelong Protester]

8. I was thinking the same thing

If they are hoping that textbooks that are used by students in school are going to 'indoctrinate' anyone, they can just forget it. The only persons who are making this out to be a 'big win' are the out of touch conservatives. Most folks that buy their story are home-schooling. For the rest of kids, what's a dusty tome? They'll get their news, ideas, information on the Internet (for good or bad).

Sorry Texas, but are you in the race to the bottom and calling it achievement?

[winston61]

56. Race to bottom? My friend--

Texas OWNS the bottom.

[ShockediSay]

60. Race to Fascism nt

[Joe Bacon]

52. I'm sure the purges aren't far off!

Since it seems every religious nutcase is getting elected to school boards these days, it's only a matter of time before they purge them godless atheistic teachers from classrooms all over the country.

Really, the only difference left between the USA and the old USSR is one word. Where the USSR used the word "Marx", the USA uses the word "Jesus".

[Javaman]

70. The only time they right will be outraged at their own hypocrisy is when they

themselves become victim of a purge.

Watch them suddenly be all surprised.

It's coming.

Obama is the last democratic president. And he really is more of a right leaning centrist anyway. From here on out, after the next election, things will get...dicey.

[truthisfreedom]

5. First step in their preparation to secede and become a Christian Jihad nation.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. I had to discount the history book my class was using.

The book had choice phrases as calling Native Americans "Indians" and "savages". I made the kids close their books and told them the real story of "settlers" and "Pilgrims".

[mbperrin]

7. These are actually just curriculum elements. The worst of these jackals

have been defeated and will be out of office when textbook hearings begin next year.

The way to beat these folks in the meantime is to do just what I've been doing for three decades: do exactly what they say, not what they intend. So when they say we should teach something about Milton Friedman, I'm happy to point out that he designed the privatization of Chile's social security system, which was very similar to ours before it was changed.

It tanked, no one can retire, people in their 80s are still working, life is miserable. Any further questions about Mr. Friedman and his ideas?

Then they say teach about low taxes and business. Okay.
Well, then, let's move on to lower taxes helping the economy, shall we? Class, before Ronald Reagan was elected, the top tax rate was 70%, which meant that if oilmen here in the middle of the oilpatch came up dry on a well, they could deduct 70% of the $2 million it took to drill a well at that time, or $1.4 million, meaning a real loss of only $600,000. After the rate was cut in half, deductions amounted to only $700,000 , leaving $1.3 million in real loss to cover, or more than a doubling of risk. Capital hates risk, so it fled. Rig count dropped from over 4,000 to under 1500, where it has resided ever since. Who lost your granpa's job? Ronald Reagan.

Any more questions about low taxes, class?

Meanwhile, things are getting better - the worst of these monsters are gone, and I think more to go sooner rather than later.

[Lifelong Protester]

9. Love ya! you sound like a great teacher!!

(I'm a school principal, BTW)

[mbperrin]

10. At 58, I just don't have time for all nonsense all the time.

Luckily, I have had 4 great principals over the years! You sound like one, too!

Making a difference is mostly just doing it is what my education advisor told me long ago...

[Lifelong Protester]

29. Yesirree, at 54 (soon to be 55) I prefer the 'cut through the BS'

approach too.

It sure is about making a difference, and as you well know, teaching kids HOW to think, not WHAT to think...

[mbperrin]

35. Careful! You'll have someone thinkin' you're a commie or sumpin'

Always nice to hear from others simply getting it done, in spite of the stupid. Thanks!

[Plucketeer]

18. That's heartening to hear.

My wife is a civics teacher in a very red part of the state. It's a bit frustrating when her students (the one's that bother to stay awake) will parrot their parent's conservative talking points. Most of the parents would be happier if their kids could just watch Glenn Beck, and get credit for it!

[Downwinder]

12. We still have football, who needs education? n/t

[progressoid]

13. Prime example of why it's important to get progressives in ALL levels of elected office.

[pattmarty]

14. Congratulations Fox, you won another one.

[leahcim]

15. Most blatant self-contradiction in the article:

"Cynthia Dunbar, a lawyer from Richmond who is a strict constitutionalist and thinks the nation was founded on Christian beliefs..."

[maxrandb]

16. Couldn't Universities

announce that they won't be accepting students that were educated in Texas?

[stranger81]

26. I think we're going to have to start putting "educated" in quotes.

Indoctrinated is more like it.

[formercia]

31. Make them get a student visa, take remedial courses and charge foreign tuition.

I feel sorry for those kids. It's going to be a terrible letdown when they learn the truth.

[harkadog]

36. And then you would have other universities saying they

wouldn't accept students that were educated in California, New York, etc. Wow, now wouldn't that be a step forward. Where were you educated if anywhere?

[maxrandb]

54. So you approve

of the Texas Conservatives taking Thomas Jefferson out of the history books, or teaching creationism? Don't know why you're so offensive in your post...makes me want to say "screw you and the dinosaur you rode in on".

[harkadog]

58. Go ahead and say it if that helps you through the day

Your tired use of the straw man in discussion -- 'if you don't agree with me you must be an advocate of everything evil in world' -- proves I was correct in wondering if you have been educated anyplace.

[SkyDaddy7]

19. This is only the beginning!

America is far to religious and ignorant to truly compete in a 21st Century science driven economy! China will soon blow past us and our excuse will be "...we are not close enough to GAWD!"

[AlbertCat]

20. America continues its astounding slide to the bottom.

Well.... Texas is NOT America....thank god.

[kentauros]

42. Excuse me, I am very much an American, and a Texan.

However, I an a Native Terran first :P

[SoapBox]

21. One possible solution?

...other states will simply say that a high school diploma issued by Texas is
unacceptable or inadequate.

If Texans want to enroll in another state's colleges, they will need additional
classes in history, civics, and social studies.

If Texans with a high school degree are applying for state jobs (out of Texas), they go to the
back of the line (those with diplomas from acceptable states go first) until they can
show that they had the supplemental classes in history, civics, and social studies.

A Texas issued high school diploma will be as worthless as a 3 dollar bill.

[Ilsa]

37. Hopefully, SAT scores will help some students if their parents didn't have

their heads in the sand.

[benld74]

22. The Lost Beginning of The Idiocracy Movie began the same way,,,

[alp227]

23. I posted about the board's propositions on Education board earlier.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=219x21371

In that thread, I referenced this NYT article "Texas Conservatives Seek Deeper Stamp on Texts". I also tried refuting their points.

Now for a little rant,

Yes, Christianity did play an important role in American history, but not as much as fundamentalists think it did. Heck, the Treaty of Tripoli (1796) says in Article 11: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." (emphasis mine).

The Board played the clever game of deceive & evade: It straight-up crossed out Thomas Jefferson. Of course, Jefferson's the one who wrote about that "wall of separation". You can't teach that to those innocent Texas schoolchildren, can't you?

And when those children try to apply to college, the parents will wonder why Harvard won't accept those kids. Again, more evading the question: "Them libruhl godless anti-American Ahvy uhlitists be oppressin' my good ol' keed." And when those kids are still living with mommy and daddy because they can't find a job in the real world, the parents will point out liberals, immigrants, and foreigners and holler: "They took our jobs!" I'm sorry, Texas Board, you brought all the oppression on yourself by disguising stupidity as academia.

Here's another interesting amendment:

In the field of sociology, another conservative member, Barbara Cargill, won passage of an amendment requiring the teaching of “the importance of personal responsibility for life choices” in a section on teen suicide, dating violence, sexuality, drug use and eating disorders.

“The topic of sociology tends to blame society for everything,” Ms. Cargill said.

Hmm, I think this edges a bit close to "blaming the victim".

[Doc Holliday]

24. "Sorry Texas, but are you in the race to the bottom and calling it achievement?"

Shoot....time was when we could say, "Wayull, at least we ain't Mizsippi!"

Not any more, man.

[Lucky Luciano]

25. How very vomit inducing. nt

[vanboggie]

27. This p*sses me off big time

I read about this years ago and it made me mad then. Now it infuriates me. I read about it earlier on MSNBC and plastered it on my FB page.
There ought to be a law against this crap. I'm starting to like the phrase "Ban the Book!" ... how bout "Ban the Texan Textbooks!"?

:banghead:

[Patty55]

41. I agree with you

I have one question for the backward Texans..Why are we fighting to supposedly let Iraq have a secular Government when we are in great danger of becoming a Fundamentalist Christian Country. People ask me why I who once was a non practicing Catholic is now an Agnostic..I have an answer. I have come to realize how Conservative Christians have been so cruel over the centuries. They came here, forced the Indians to convert or risk being murdered in the name of the Lord..Murdered women because a couple of bratty kids called them witches. Tell anyone who doesn't believe in the bible word for word will be condemned to Hell. Go to Haiti, kidnap children and also refuse aid to anyone who doesn't convert to Christianity..Well I want no part of that. The bible was written by men who picked and chose which chapters where to be in the Good Book. God didn't write it, wake up. God according to the believers is going to take most of us to Hell because we aren't born again..What the crap is that?? There is no anti Christ except in the minds of people who are so afraid they are going to Hell they will do anything make themselves look so good. People disappearing from where they stand..Come on, get real..That would make God a murderer because some of the "saved" will be flying planes, driving cars, etc..I know there is something bigger than me, but I don't buy what the Christians are selling...If I were a parent and lived in Texas they would be home schooled because no one would be allowed to force my loved ones into believing their so called religion..
Patty55

[vanboggie]

44. Exactly how I feel

I, too, was once a non-practicing Catholic, but I've seen the light. The BushCo years opened my eyes as I watched how easily they controlled and manipulated the populace in the name of God. Like you, I learned and realized that religion over the centuries has been used for the same purpose - greed and control...the reasons you outlined so well in your post and more. Much like the Buddha, there may have been a good guy named Jesus who walked around spreading the word on peace and love, but he bears no resemblance to the one the Fundies hold up as a reason for war, torture and murder. In the Bush years, I had a bumper sticker on my truck that said "Jesus wouldn't carry a gun and vote Republican." The entire way I look at the world has changed, and the hypocrisy of the religious freaks disgusts me. My sister-in-law who goes to Mass regularly and thinks she is such a perfect Christian was the classic flag waving faux patriot when the Iraq War started. She actually told me I was mentally unbalanced because I protested in the streets and vehemently opposed the Bush admin. I once tried to appeal to her as a mother by showing her photos of dead and wounded Iraqi children in their mothers arms. I asked her what she would think of a country invading us and killing innocent children. Her response was, "We should bomb them off the face of the earth before they can grow up." Disgusting to the max.

Unfortunately, what we are facing now in this country is a very wealthy and powerful bunch bankrolling this whole Jesus/God thing for their own agenda. Put together millions of dumbed-down Americans and religion, and they've got it made.

Parents all over America should be up in arms about what these knuckle-draggers in Texas are doing, because these textbooks they are censoring and rewriting are going to be landing on children's desks all over the country - just one of the ways the tentacles of this bunch are taking control :(

Thanks for your well-written post, Patty55. You put what I've been feeling in recent years into words. I get so angry about the hypocrisy that I rush into explanations and end up getting tongue-tied, lol.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

28. THE SOLUTION

A consortium of progressive and even conservative scholars need to develop alternative curriculum and make it available free of charge for teachers to download from the internet.

In essence, if the publishers want to bow to the influence of a cadre of asshat conservatives, then their sales will suffer.

[MadMaddie]

59. That is the correct answer! I have no idea why this states

board gets to influence the rest of the countries education standards.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

61. Back in the day....

Texas bought more school books that any other state, and the opinions of their educational "leaders" was important. Now? Pfff! Here's something they should put into their textbooks -- the printed word on paper stopped being relevant about 10 years ago. Maybe even longer.

[RainDog]

63. there should be an app for that! ;)

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

64. You posted this about two hours ago...

so there probably IS an app for that by now! They're like rabbits, I tell ya!

[TheDebbieDee]

32. Over the last ten years, I've realized just how backward

many Texans are. I say this and I live in Missouri!

I don't like the fact that conservative Texans may be poisoning the minds of another generation of innocents through their crappy-assed textbooks.

[PurpleChez]

33. I lived in Georgia for nearly a dozen years

It got to the point where some folks were starting to worry, if we continue to bastardize the science curriculum in order to appease young earth creationists and other fundies some colleges might look at our kids' transcripts, see that they went to high school in Georgia, and reject them as unqualified and unprepared. Some systems started backpedaling on their anti-evolution stance for that reason.

[musette_sf]

34. Tomorrow's News Today

New York Times US Breaking News Prediction:
Houston TX, June 30, 2010
BRAIN DRAIN STRIKES TEXAS
Educated, Affluent Families Sacrifice Low Cost Of Living To Flee Anti-Intellectualism In Local Schools
Rice University Faculty Resigns En Masse; Baylor and Texas A&M Left To Vie For "Harvard Of The South"

Christian Broadcasting Network Breaking News Prediction:
Dallas TX, August 15, 2010
TEXAS PURGES SATAN'S MINIONS
Elitist Communist Atheists Rebuke Salvation In Mass Exodus; Homeschoolers Now Safe To Return To State's Public Classrooms
New TAKS Exams Announced For 2011: Tea Party Civics; Anglo-Saxon Ethnic Studies; Saviourology

[Grassy Knoll]

38. It's OK Tony..........

Our new books ell make us bedder !!!

[AsahinaKimi]

39. Guaranteeing generations of tea baggers to come..

Looks like the Reconstructionists will win big in the future, and generations will infiltrate every nook and cranny of our lives. We thought 8 years of Bush was bad.. wait till we see whats in store for us with future Generations. They want this country to be a Christian Nation, they just might get it. Of course by that time, I should be well into my 70's.. I can't wait to be made to convert or be deported!

[LarryNM]

40. Time for Our Own Guerrilla Tactics

The curriculum will have to be taught and parroted on the testing madness. Make a point to have rote work for all the students regarding these tests. But in addition, teach reality and several viewpoints to engage those who want to think. Most will want to do this rather than the boring Statist-style indoctrination of the "free market". Make it relevant to everyday life. Incorporate guests from, and outside teaching at, Progressive Religious organizations, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights groups, Labor Unions, etc. With the Billionaire Fascists and their sycophantic supporters on one side and religious jihadists on the other pressing against reason and enlightenment, this must truly be seen as a battle for minds.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Judi Lynn]

45. I just accidentally posted an O.P. with a different headline on this subject.

Alerted on the post. Believe it will be added to yours later.

Sorry. It was unintentional. Didn't see yours first.

If this happens in Texas, it clearly can lead to EVERY state having its own version of U.S. history and identity, and the battle will get closer to the surface with US history, as rewritten as it already is, becoming a prize in a tug-of-war between the most powerful, or desperate parties vying to constantly write over the last version until what is available no longer has even the most remote resemblance to reality. Not sure we aren't there already, but the future version of history will probably get wildly twisted with this deliberate, large scale misrepresentation of the facts.

[Judi Lynn]

46. Texas board would tilt textbooks to the right

Source: Associated Press

Posted on Sat, Mar. 13, 2010
Texas board would tilt textbooks to the right
By April Castro
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - A far-right faction of the Texas State Board of Education succeeded yesterday in injecting conservative ideals into social studies, history, and economics lessons that, if approved in a final vote, will be taught to millions of students for the next decade.

Teachers in Texas would be required to cover the Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers but not highlight the philosophical rationale for the separation of church and state. Curriculum standards would describe the U.S. government as a "constitutional republic," rather than "democratic," and students would be required to study the decline in value of the dollar, including the abandonment of the gold standard.

Decisions by the board - made up of lawyers, a dentist, and a weekly newspaper publisher among others - can affect textbook content nationwide because Texas is one of publishers' biggest clients.

"We have been about conservatism vs. 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."


Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20100313_Texas_board_would_tilt_textbooks_to_the_right.html

[upi402]

47. "We have manipulated strands"

What does that mean? It's inside baseball for me.

[AsahinaKimi]

48. I think that means they are

Re-writing history, to reflect their views. Must be nice, to feel free to just jot down anything they want. "Hey!! Paul Revere rode into Boston in a Chevy Blazer to warn the Communists were coming..but don't mind us, nothing to see here!"

Obviously not true, but if they can swing some young persons mind to their way of thinking..in baseball terms, "its a Home Run baby!"

[upi402]

49. Suspending disbeleif seems to be effortless here

Jaw-dropping to me sometimes. It's a juggernaut of stupid.

[AsahinaKimi]

50. It is amazing to me that

Just about anyone can be voted in, to some board of Education, where they can just re-write History anyway they want it. They can make up stuff, or just change things around, and with no one watching over their shoulders. No Scholars tut tutting them, no Scientists wiggling a finger at them. They can perpetuate any myth, lie or propaganda they wish, and no one is going to stop them, and of course, if its in the History texts books Children, then it has to be true, right?

[mbperrin]

57. The curriculum in Texas is called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills,

(TEKS), and it covers K to Grade 12 in topics called "strands."

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148



For instance, here is where the strands for English for Kindergarten are outlined:
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110a.html


§110.11. English Language Arts and Reading, Kindergarten, Beginning with School Year 2009-2010.

(a) Introduction.

(1) The English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are organized into the following strands: Reading, where students read and understand a wide variety of literary and informational texts; Writing, where students compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail; Research, where students are expected to know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas and information; Listening and Speaking, where students listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups; and Oral and Written Conventions, where students learn how to use the oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking and writing. The Reading strand is structured to reflect the major topic areas of the National Reading Panel Report. In Kindergarten, students engage in activities that build on their natural curiosity and prior knowledge to develop their reading, writing, and oral language skills.


Strands continue to develop and build over the course of education all the way to grade 12.

The representative is saying that these strands (which as you can see here, are very generic, difficult to disagree with; I mean, who's against kids reading and understanding a variety of texts, for instance?) are being manipulated in specific ways to change the general direction of these to make them conform to a particular set of topics, for example, or to respond in a particular way.

Sorry this is a bit long, but maybe this will help.

[Joe Bacon]

51. Deep in the heart of Tex-Ass!

Let them secede. Please. I'll gladly be the first to wave them bye-bye!

[bamacrat]

53. Ensuring a generation of kids are stupid enough to vote repub their whole life.

[winston61]

55. My friend this is Texas- As Molly Ivins used to say--

That Texas is the American National Laboratory for Bad Government. We're just holding up the reputation. For God's sake look who just won the primary for Repuke Governor. They can't change history but they can damned sure rewrite it. If you think the schools are bad where you are (and I'm sure they are), you can bet they are 10 times worse in the Lone Star State. When you drive by a school in Texas you have to ask, is it a school or a prison? Drive through the parking lot of any school (even primary schools) and you will see at least one cop car. Education is not the goal. Warehousing kids, guarding kids (from what?). This is just the beginning, it's coming to your state next. Yahoo.

[RainDog]

66. schools aren't bad where I am. they're very good.

because they are staffed and administered by people who are not religious idiots.

[alarimer]

62. I hate Texas so much.

I will be SO happy to leave. Bunch of cretins.

I already posted my complaints about Corpus Christi in the state forum.

[depakid]

67. Time for federal standards to ensure that Texas doesn't pollute the rest of the nation

any more than it already has and does.

[RainDog]

68. Exactly. Standards written by EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS

not idiots with a bible.

[teknomanzer]

69. I just got a preview of the curriculum...

Check it out--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FIntW4Tl0o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdbR0BxN-aw&NR=1