Public Schools....Did you know??

Here's an ordinary question?   It has to do with school.  Easy answer right?  After all....we've all been to school.  We learned....listened.....played....formed friendships.....graduated.  Go ahead....ask away!!

Here it is...Where does the information which is taught in the classroom come from?  If you said..."text books"....you get partial credit.  If you said..."from the people who write the textbooks".....you get an "A".

The textbooks are written....selectively approved by the State Board of Education...passed on to school districts....given to teachers who select one (1) for each subject.....they are bought with State tax money....placed in classrooms....librarians number them....children cover them with brown paper bags....information goes to your child.   Sound good.... right?????

Here's the reason why I'm writing today.   While, at one time, publishers wrote their books, made a presentation to teachers and local curriculum committees made the initial selections...and the staff decided which one(s) were best.......that process has changed!!  The "openness" of competing publishers has been changed.   The State Board of Education is now deciding which three (3) publishers that teachers will see.  The teacher must choose one of the three pre-screened publishers.  Tax money for purchase will only be given if one of their three is chosen.  Parenthetically, if a school chooses to pick another publisher.....they pay for them from general funds.  Does anyone see a problem developing here??????

Forgive the obvious...the State Board of Education does not have time to read all the publishers.  They must rely on advising minions and lobbyists.  So....depending on the political slant of the Board...the advising group are the  real selectors of what your children learn in the public schools.   Do you think this is good?  Fair?  Unbiased?  Open?  Have you considered the political slant of California over the past few generations??  Who might be appointed to a State Board of Education?  Who might appoint them?  One man listed as an adviser to the State Board of Education....for middle east history....listed USC as his alma Mater.  He helped write the tone and slant on the current Middle East affairs for the approved California State History texts.....perhaps it was Social Studies...its one of those.  Unfortunately....USC can't verify that the adviser has any affiliation with them!!!!!!!!  Bias perhaps?????   Just one example....there are more.

So....today goes on.  Teachers are on summer vacation....textbook publishers are arranging dinners and lunch presentations for the State Board of Education.  Advisers are busy presenting their biased viewpoints in California textbooks.....and your child and grandchildren are going to return to public school in the Fall......and learn about America........really??????  Maybe a private school or home-school possibility could be an option for your family.