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Originally posted by korathin
reply to post by smyleegrl
Most people don't deny the fact that the environment is always changing, it is the causation that is the strain of things. For example people like you say: "It is all human caused(saying man-made is sexist, as women pollute the same as men) and thus we need crushing taxes and international socialism".
When in reality it is because of Cosmic Radiation.
But people like you never let a crisis go to waste.
Let's see if I can help you drive home this point about the influence of corporate America on this bill.
Originally posted by smyleegrl
My thread was about Corportate America INFLUENCING CURRICULUM in a state school system.
Sourcewatch.org
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) describes itself as the largest “membership association of state legislators,” but over 98% of its revenue comes from sources other than legislative dues, primarily from corporations and corporate foundations.
desmogblog.com
Tennessee
Tennessee's House bill, H.B. 368, essentially a replica of the ALEC model bill, overwhelmly passed the House in April 2011, but its Senate-version cousin, S.B. 893, failed to pass. As the Los Angeles Times article makes clear, efforts to push the bill through are far from over.
Key clauses of that bill read,
"[T]eachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught."
"[P]ublic elementary and secondary schools…[should]…respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about controversial issues."
These excerpts match, almost to a "T," bullet points one, three and four of the ALEC model bill.
desmogblog.com
Nine of the 24 co-sponsors of the H.B. 368 are ALEC members, according to CMD's ALEC Members database.
In addition, these nine ALEC member co-sponsors received $8,695 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry combined in the 2008 and 2010 campaign cycles, according to FollowTheMoney.org. The other 15 sponsors of the bill, while not members of ALEC, received $10,400 in their campaign cofffers in the 2008 and 2010 campaign cycles combined.
S.B. 893, on the other hand, was sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-11), a recipient of $1,800 in oil and gas industry money in the 2008 and 2010 election cycles combined.
Translation: between the 25 of them, on top of a model bill handed to them by corporate oil and gas industry lobbyists, they were also furnished with $20,895 in campaign cash by these industries with the expectation to do their legislative bidding.
reply to post by smyleegrl
Agreed. The federal government is not requiring states adapt the Common Core curriculum. Instead, the state is presented with the Common Core and they can take it or leave it. Not all states have made the switch, and some may choose not too.
Originally posted by ProfEmeritus
reply to post by smyleegrl
Agreed. The federal government is not requiring states adapt the Common Core curriculum. Instead, the state is presented with the Common Core and they can take it or leave it. Not all states have made the switch, and some may choose not too.
Under those conditions, I believe there would be no problem. Of course, as I'm sure you know, unless the vast majority of the states were to accept the common core, the inequality would still exist. It is a good start, but it remains to be seen how it will be accepted by the various states. There is no question that the curricula of the schools need to improve, as it certainly has been "dumbed down", as the common folk like to assert. That was obvious to me, as a Professor, who saw freshmen that came into my institution that could barely write a complete sentence, and were severely deficient in in spelling, grammar, and original thought processes. It was very discouraging. Part of that problem, I believe was due to the emphasis on grades, the pressure of parents on school boards to ensure that Johnny and Susie got decent grades, and the total lack by the parents on emphasis on LEARNING rather than grades. It is a sad situation. I had one student that was a "straight A" student in high school, that turned in papers that I wouldn't accept from a 5th grader. The grammar was non-existent, the spelling was atrocious, and again, the thought process consisted of her "feelings", with no facts to back them up. Sad, Sad.
reply to post by smyleegrl
I could go on and on about the education system in America, but I'll bring this to a close. Glad to know there are folks who understand the underlying issues!
Originally posted by ProfEmeritus
reply to post by smyleegrl
I could go on and on about the education system in America, but I'll bring this to a close. Glad to know there are folks who understand the underlying issues!
I know how you feel. Early on, when I had just joined ATS, after my retirement, I spent countless nights posting extensive threads concerning the problems with the educational system today. A few people did understand, but many simply attempted to throw blame without cause, and in the end, I just stopped posting such threads. It seems very few people wish to actually delve deeply into the issues. It is typical of the "instant" gratification, and "instant "expert" " analysis of the unschooled and uneducated. The MSM, of course, is a heavy contributor to this problem, in that they summarize every problem into a 30 or 60 second "spot". It would truly be a lesson in humility if the MSM were able to realize how ignorant they sound to people that understand the issues they claim to analyze.
Originally posted by korathin
Originally posted by ProfEmeritus
reply to post by smyleegrl
I could go on and on about the education system in America, but I'll bring this to a close. Glad to know there are folks who understand the underlying issues!
I know how you feel. Early on, when I had just joined ATS, after my retirement, I spent countless nights posting extensive threads concerning the problems with the educational system today. A few people did understand, but many simply attempted to throw blame without cause, and in the end, I just stopped posting such threads. It seems very few people wish to actually delve deeply into the issues. It is typical of the "instant" gratification, and "instant "expert" " analysis of the unschooled and uneducated. The MSM, of course, is a heavy contributor to this problem, in that they summarize every problem into a 30 or 60 second "spot". It would truly be a lesson in humility if the MSM were able to realize how ignorant they sound to people that understand the issues they claim to analyze.
Dude, the problem is the federal government. The CORE Curriculum was designed to dumb children down. The Federal Government needs to stay out of education and leave it to the States, Counties, and local School Districts(unless there is evidence of kick backs, corruption, that kind of thing. Then the FBI should intervene).