Last week TexasInsider published a 3-part series of articles by Bill Ames of Dallas addressing the efforts of left-leaning educator special interest groups to create their own set of standards for Texas social studies curriculum. Texas parents and citizens were all but excluded from the process but the ship is slowly turning. Last weeks articles revealed (see article links at end here below) how the review process has been hijacked the review panels packed with supporters and proposed standards created that portray a negative view of America.
Parents and citizens are beginning to realize what is going on and they are responding.
One such response comes from a Garland TX mother of three children. She has taken it upon herself to provide written testimony to todays State Board Of Educations November 18 meeting. Her testimony follows:
Written testimony for State Board of Education (SBOE) Meeting
Wednesday November 18 2009
Regarding agenda item 10: Discussion of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 113 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies Subchapter A Elementary Subchapter B Middle School and Subchapter C High School
I am a mother of three children under 12. Im trying to be a good citizen who is watchful and protective of our freedoms so that my children and all who come after them can enjoy the same blessings of liberty that we have had laid at our feet. The elementary school I attended invited Dr. Alexander Sas-Jaworsky yearly to speak to the children because he cherished freedom after watching his father taken away in the middle of the night to be imprisoned in Siberia for the simple act of speaking in favor of freedom and then having lived under communist rule himself. His story is only one of thousands of compelling ones but it lit a spark in me that would not die. Now 40 years later I feel that I must submit written testimony because it is critical that the stories of patriots be told to our children.
The overall effect of the revisions Ive seen in proposed K-5 TEKS and U.S. History Since Reconstruction" TEKS is the sacrifice of the core truths of our countrys history for what special interest groups wish it were.
One of the disgraceful revisions is the inclusion of Sandra Cisneros in the 3rd grade curriculum as an example to be followed. She writes erotic poetry--but shes Hispanic! Erotic poetry and 7 year olds! What a great Texas tradition! How many more major mistakes like this are in these documents?
Allow me to remind this SBOE of this:
Texas Education Code §28.002 Required Curriculum (excerpts):
(h) …A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to prepare thoughtful active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our state and national heritage.
Please know that the best way for children to understand the importance of patriotism" is to hear the stories of those who didnt have it fought for it secured it and defended it.
Children need to hear the stories not just once but repeatedly.
By relegating U.S. studies only to only three grades we are condemning our children to a life with less liberty than we ourselves had. We are no longer teaching our children why we are worth preserving! If you arent alarmed by this you should be.
This board has a fundamental decision to make: Do you want to transmit academic knowledge to children or do you want to make radical changes in the attitudes values and worldview of the children of Texas?
I believe that the majority of the current revisions will succeed in the latter and will assure the eventual destruction of most if not all of the freedoms we are currently left with.
I would like to see a social studies curriculum that teaches American History EVERY year. The story of our country is that important and a layered approach the way math is taught is the way to do it.
The history taught should be based on the truth of our founding principles rather than a skewed wishful thinking version of some particular interest groups with an ax to grind.
I want factual unbiased balanced social studies standards that include events and individuals that are significant rather than packing the curriculum with relative unknowns who are included to satisfy an interest group.
Please DO NOT subject my children to political agendas of these groups.
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Citizens who wish add their voice can get guidance from any one of the 3-Part series of last weeks articles by panel member Bill Ames below.
Part I of III: The Lefts War on U.S. History
Part II of III: The Lefts War on U.S. History
If Gangsta Rap is In is American Exceptionalism Out?
Part III of III: The Lefts War on U.S. History
Democrat State Senator attacks SBOE Chairwoman Expert Reviewer calls for ideological balance
