Scholastic Books . . . going over to the dark side? . . .

[OneBlueSky]

yet another American institution succumbs to the corporate juggernaut . . . this time, it's about kids and what they're being taught . . .

Why is Scholastic, the world’s largest supplier of children’s books, giving a venue to the “dark side?”

by John F. Borowski
EducationNews.org
August 12, 2004

http://www.educationnews.org/why-is-scholastic-the-world.htm

Poor “Clifford the Big Red Dog” must be hiding submissively in his doghouse, tail between his legs, embarrassed by Scholastic’s newest partner: the American Petroleum Institute. Scholastic, well known for Clifford and numerous other children’s titles is a $2 billion corporate power, claiming to be the “Most Trusted Name in Learning. ” They now provide “Powering Your World” an energy website developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It is fitting, that Scholastic holds “Star Wars” as a licensed property, because API is a real life Darth Vader!

On Scholastic’s own website you can find “Powering Your World” developed by Scholastic and API. These lesson plans, with corresponding student handouts even meet the national science standards-based program for grades 6-8. Kids can learn about the “Story of Gasoline” or “Energy in the World.” Oil is used in plastics, medicines and some of children’s favorite items like DVD’s. Students are warned that fossil fuels make up 85% of our nation’s energy sources. What is not discussed is most telling. No discussion of climate change, the legacy of oil spills, or the need for renewable energy sources. In Activity one, “Make Energy Connections” a word scramble activity uses worlds like: refinery, car, nuclear plant, coal mine, electric generating plant and oil well. How about Chernobyl, strip mine, Exxon Valdez, SUV, fuel cell or windmill? They are all absent. Can’t you hear poor, old Clifford barking, “Say it ain’t so Scholastic?” How could this most trusted provider of children’s books provide legitimacy for the likes of the American Petroleum Institute?

Let’s be explicitly blunt: API is not about education, rather indoctrination. Their agenda is guilty of the two most heinous cardinal sins in education: omission and dishonesty. Education is built on fluency of data and interpreting that data through critical thought. API’s intentions are to mislead children, distancing them from their critical thought processes. API loathes that children growing into voting citizens might open their eyes to global climate change, the folly of drilling in pristine lands such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the suicidal dependence on nonrenewable fuels. Acting as an educational carpetbagger with the assistance of Scholastic enables this petroleum based Trojan horse unlimited access to children. Scholastic’s own website claims that Scholastic’s products are virtually in every public school in the United States. API’s spin- doctors must drool when they consider the possibilities of debunking ecological concerns that rightfully so haunt their industry.

- more . . .

[Lorien]

1. A friend of mine just inked a major deal with Scholastic

he says the CEO is a big AAR/ Al Franken fan. :shrug: