(no subject)
Two days ago the Texas Board of Education finished a three-day conference which was aimed at assessing the state's social studies curriculum. In a 10-5 vote, the Board provided preliminary approval of a revised curriculum which amends Texas' standards for U.S. history, government, world politics, and a number of other subjects. The curriculum will be submitted to a final vote following a period of public revew and comment. Among the significant developments of the conference are the following:
- Removal of a requirement for a sociology class to address the distinction between sex and gender. This standard was objected to and removed for fear that discussion of such subjects could lead students into the realm of "transvestites, transsexuals, and who knows what else."
- Introduction of a requirement that teachers explore the Judeo-Christian inspirations of the Founding Fathers. This requirement also removes any requirement that teachers explain the philosophical or sociological bases for the separation of church and state.
- The Board managed to defeat efforts to introduce hip-hop as an example of a significant cultural movement. Rock n' Roll and the Beat Generation are part of the current curriculum.
- The Board rejected any requirement that students be taught that the Constitution prevents the government from promoting one religion over others.
- Measures ensuring that students learn about the revival or conservatism during the '80s and '90s. Liberal and minority rights groups are not required parts of the curriculum.
- A variety of smaller changes such as changing mentions of "capitalism" into 'free-enterprise."
- The removal of Thomas Jefferson from discussion regarding thinkers of the Enlightenment. This is particularly in regard to the impact of the Enlightenment on a variety of political revolutions. Discussion of figures such as John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas is proposed instead.
Why does this matter? Isn't this just the kind of normal bullshit we expect from Texas? Can't the rest of us just ignore this and get back to our actual education? Sadly, this is one case in which we cannot simply forget about Texas. As the nation's second-largest purchaser or textbooks, Texas' curriculum greatly affects the kind of information provided to students across the country. Textbook publishers, given the nature of their products, tailor their texts toward their largest clients, so other states also end up with texts written for this curriculum. An increase in Texas' bullshit leads to more bullshit throughout the nation, but this is, fortunately, not a 1:1 ratio of bullshit.
There is some light at the end of this stupid-filled tunnel, though. The National Governors Association has recently begun looking at national education standards which it hopes all states will adopt. This would eliminate the extent to which educational standards largely depend on the county in which one happens to live. It's also a substantial step toward national educational reform, and the fact that it is not coming from the national government means that conservative segments of the population will be all the more likely to accept it.
Fingers are crossed.
- Removal of a requirement for a sociology class to address the distinction between sex and gender. This standard was objected to and removed for fear that discussion of such subjects could lead students into the realm of "transvestites, transsexuals, and who knows what else."
- Introduction of a requirement that teachers explore the Judeo-Christian inspirations of the Founding Fathers. This requirement also removes any requirement that teachers explain the philosophical or sociological bases for the separation of church and state.
- The Board managed to defeat efforts to introduce hip-hop as an example of a significant cultural movement. Rock n' Roll and the Beat Generation are part of the current curriculum.
- The Board rejected any requirement that students be taught that the Constitution prevents the government from promoting one religion over others.
- Measures ensuring that students learn about the revival or conservatism during the '80s and '90s. Liberal and minority rights groups are not required parts of the curriculum.
- A variety of smaller changes such as changing mentions of "capitalism" into 'free-enterprise."
- The removal of Thomas Jefferson from discussion regarding thinkers of the Enlightenment. This is particularly in regard to the impact of the Enlightenment on a variety of political revolutions. Discussion of figures such as John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas is proposed instead.
Why does this matter? Isn't this just the kind of normal bullshit we expect from Texas? Can't the rest of us just ignore this and get back to our actual education? Sadly, this is one case in which we cannot simply forget about Texas. As the nation's second-largest purchaser or textbooks, Texas' curriculum greatly affects the kind of information provided to students across the country. Textbook publishers, given the nature of their products, tailor their texts toward their largest clients, so other states also end up with texts written for this curriculum. An increase in Texas' bullshit leads to more bullshit throughout the nation, but this is, fortunately, not a 1:1 ratio of bullshit.
There is some light at the end of this stupid-filled tunnel, though. The National Governors Association has recently begun looking at national education standards which it hopes all states will adopt. This would eliminate the extent to which educational standards largely depend on the county in which one happens to live. It's also a substantial step toward national educational reform, and the fact that it is not coming from the national government means that conservative segments of the population will be all the more likely to accept it.
Fingers are crossed.