Texas shows its true colors to the world. Again. (textbooks)

[RoryN]

*sarcastic slow applause*

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPQ3ktQNqImWyQ23yXKoCFXWrN1QD9EDB7T80
Texas ed board adopts social studies standards
By APRIL CASTRO – 2 hours ago

AUSTIN, Texas — 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.

(This version corrects board vote to 10-5, instead of 11-4, after board member Rene Nunez said his vote was recorded incorrectly by board as a yes.)

 

[Luk]

This just proves that everything is bigger in Texas including the stupidity.

 

[RoryN]

This just proves that everything is bigger in Texas including the stupidity.

Racism, intolerance of non-Christian beliefs, and a love of ignorance.

I have no problem with them calling themselves a "whole other country".

 

[The_Trouvere]

It is difficult to impossible not to allow one's values to influence the way one teaches history and social studies.

Europeans seem more willing to examine undesirable aspects of their pasts than are Americans.

Students in public schools should learn about slavery. They learn about genocide against the Indians. They should learn that the United States does not always have the best way of doing things.

When I was growing up I was taught to believe that every war the United States was justified, and forced on this country. I was taught to be proud of American exceptionalism. Now I think the United States is exceptionally behind the civilized world.

 

[Tyrone Biggs]

The Racist Threadstarter Strikes Again. Please Tell Us Roryn. Why Are You So Fucking Damn Racist?

 

[RoryN]

The Racist Threadstarter Strikes Again. Please Tell Us Roryn. Why Are You So Fucking Damn Racist?

When are those Trons going on eBay?

 

[Tyrone Biggs]

I love to suck cock

Mr Gay Racist Roryn please tells us all of the racist forums you are a member of. You edited the thread after you listed them last time.

 

[RoryN]

Mr Gay Racist Roryn please tells us all of the racist forums you are a member of. You edited the thread after you listed them last time.

Wrong response.

The correct response would've been:

"Trons on eBay? What the fuck are you talking about?"

OOPS.

BUSTED, CADE!

 

[doctor_insanus]

What's really scary is how much influence Texas has over the rest of the country where textbooks are concerned. These standards are going to apply to a lot of other states as well.

They've turned the news media into propaganda... now they're doing the same to textbooks.

 

[Tyrone Biggs]

Wrong response.

The correct response would've been:

"Trons on eBay? What the fuck are you talking about?"

OOPS.

I Think Everyone Is CADE!

You are fucking obsessed with cade aren't you?

Get over it. Everyone kicked your ass here. Move on!


Here comes more roryn alts!!!!

 

[Powertone]

There are already textbooks in existence where Tejanos is studied as being slain at The Alamo...they're in MEXICO.
Go back down there if ya wanna learn that in school , mmmkay ?
gawdammit

 

[Ham Murabi]

I fail to understand why Tehanus should be included as a fallen hero of the Alamo.

 

[fgarvb1]

Well,

If the Left doesn't like it, then it can't be all bad.

Actually I did some back ground reading on this and I don't have that much of a problem with it.

 

[ksmybuttons]

As a parent, it's one of the reasons we discuss things at home, too. Of course, just like the people in the article, my child learns from me my belief system. At any point we can opt out of public education if we don't want our child to be exposed to what is being taught.

Even when we teach our belief systems, our children do think for themselves if we are doing our job. I'm a firm "I don't care if there is a God as it doesn't affect my life." My son talks to God and continues to question. I have no problem with this. I see it as part of my role.

And, as for the petty comments about the "left", we do think, just maybe not as concretely as the right. I believe it is about a child developing critical thinking skills. That, too, can be misplaced, and destructive, from either the right or the left, if we are quick to say something is "wrong" without giving the skills on how to think it through. Teaching knee jerk, inflexible thinking of any kind is destructive for the country, but not new.

 

[RoryN]

Well,

If the Left doesn't like it, then it can't be all bad.

Actually I did some back ground reading on this and I don't have that much of a problem with it.

Some what reading?

Is that two words or one, Mr. Super Reader?

 

[Songcatcher]

Well, USA is Constitutional Republc.

The Constitution states freedom is given by God the Creater.

See the technical problems?

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

It never ceases to amaze me how many persons here portray the singular state of Texas as the birthplace and launching pad for all the world's problems.

I fail to understand why Tehanus should be included as a fallen hero of the Alamo.

Nothing new Ham. People are always attempting to rewrite history to suite there needs. For years I have been opposed to school systems that have removed history classes from their core basics; now I see the reasoning behind it.

 

[kamuikamui]

Well, USA is Constitutional Republc.

The Constitution states freedom is given by God the Creater.

See the technical problems?

you typo-ed while talking about fundamental cornerstone of american freedom.

FAIL!

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

Listening to the people who sit by while Zinn becomes the official historian of the school system makes the word "hypocrisy" come to mind...




Rory, dude, if I were you and your fellow pack of clowns, I'd get the hell out of Texas if I didn't like the schools teaching the good of the Founding Fathers.

Most of you don't exactly have the high ground for defining "stupid."

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

The Texas State Board of Education has adopted this new social studies curriculum in an attempt to accurately reflect Texas history. Most of the objections over the changes are that it does not accurately reflect the accomplishments of minorities in Texas history.


FYI to those who do not know what 'Tejanos' means - Tejanos are Texans of Mexican and/or of Latin-American descent. Texians (anyone of any color and language not of Tejano heritage) and Tejanos alike fought together against authority of Mexican government, or rather, the regime of Santa Anna.

This new school board document is rifled with 180 amendments; the largest of its' sort in Texas since 1982. Along with the many changes, it also reintroduces common sense decisions. Such as putting Albert Einstein back into the courses. Also to add the teachings and language from the Declaration of Independence.

Whilst I believe the changes are overall good things, I also believe this is about conservatism vs liberalism NOT the for the good of the children whom should benefit from such a change.

The biggest problem with this curriculum is that it has too many personal takes and slants injected into it.

 

[FiestyRedHead]

What's really scary is how much influence Texas has over the rest of the country where textbooks are concerned. These standards are going to apply to a lot of other states as well.

They've turned the news media into propaganda... now they're doing the same to textbooks.

Remember, the board that picks these are elected. Not appointed.

And since TX spends over 90 mill a year on textbooks at this one company, that's why they have the largest influence.

If other states have an issue, why don't they just buy from another supplier?

 

[cebalrai]

This is just another example of right wing Big Government.

 

[Left_Nut]

This is just another example of right wing Big Government.

And a racist thread maker.

 

[fgarvb1]

Some what reading?

Is that two words or one, Mr. Super Reader?

Ha.

Dude .

I have a UT infection, Sinus infection and apparently a cold or and the flu.

I read sentences in three separate pieces and try to put them together to make some kind of sense.

And you are bitching about me not connecting words correctly.


This fucking screen is dancing around like a mechanical bull

You are a fucking riot and a half.

 

[Songcatcher]

you typo-ed while talking about fundamental cornerstone of american freedom.

FAIL!

Vaya, vaya . . .