C T

'Golden Rule School' AbstinenceAdvocate is NewMiss America! Provides Sensible Solution to 'Hate' Popular wins coveted crown, title

SANTA ROSA, CA - Parents con­ ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Miss greatly enhance programs and efforts to cerned about the proliferation of "Hate­ Illinois , 22, an enthusi­ address teen violence during her reign as Free Schools" programs and "sensitivity" astic advocate of teen abstinence edu­ ." training are trumpeting Orlean Koehle's cation, won the coveted Miss America A graduate of the University of Illi­ solution, a new curriculum aptly titled the title for 2003 on September 21 in At­ nois-Champaign, Miss Harold has been "Golden Rule School." A parent herself lantic City. She captured the crown accepted at the country's five leading law and the president ofEagle Forum of Cali­ with her beauty, poise, interview skills, schools and has decided to attend Harvard fornia, Mrs. Koehle was inspired to cre­ and singing talent. Law School. She will enter Harvard af­ ate the program as she sat with other par­ Miss Harold has been a spokes­ ter her year-long reign as Miss America ents recently at a "Hate-Free Schools" woman for Illinois' leading abstinence comes to a close. meeting at Santa Rosa's Maria Carrillo education organization, Project Real­ "Erika's winning Miss America is one High School. Administrators claimed the ity, since 1999, addressing thousands of those dream situations that you don't program was necessary following what of young people in Illinois public think can come true," said Kathleen they called two incidents of "hate" at the schools about empowering youth to Sullivan, director of Project Reality. "For­ school. They explained that if 60% of make good life decisions. When she tunately for everyone, this dream did the students and 60% of the faculty un­ won the Miss Illinois pageant, the come true because Erika is a wonderful dergo this diversity training, the school state required her to adopt its official role model for young women." would receive a banner pronouncing it platform of teen violence prevention, After being chosen Miss East Central "Hate-Free." and she successfully wove the absti­ Illinois in 1999, Miss Harold earned the Many parents have learned that pro­ nence message into that issue. state's community service award for her grams urging "tolerance" and "diversity" "Erika sees the connection be­ work with her platform: "Teenage Sexual are really pushing acceptance of the pro­ tween helping teens to avoid all risky Abstinence: 'Respect Yourself, Protect gay lifestyle. These parents are seeking behaviors in order to prevent vio­ Yourself."' (See Education Reporter, No­ other means of encouraging kindness and lence," stated Project Reality director vember 1999.) In this year's contest, of public relations Libby Gray. "Her Erika held the preliminary title of Miss respect among students. (right) work with abstinence education will (See Miss America, page 2) (See Golden Rule, page 2) crowns new , Erika Harold.

of 12 states where homeschools operate legally as private schools. For 20 years, Homeschoolers Hassled in California homeschooling parents in California have complied with compulsory education laws State Education Department reinterpreting law by establishing a private school in their homes. They file an annual Private SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA- When courses - is not an authorized exemp­ was accepted at Hillsdale. Her second son School Affidavit, which exempts their Margaret Genova received letters from tion from mandatory public school atten­ will complete his high school work early children from attending public schools. California State Superintendent of Public dance." In other words, the California and is taking junior What has changed is how state education Instruction Delaine Easton and the San Department ofEducation is trying to con­ college courses along officials choose to interpret the law. Diego County Office of Education this vince parents that homeschooling is ille­ with his high school According to the Home School Legal summer, she was shocked to learn that, gal unless the parent is a certified teacher lessons. She expects Defense Association (HSLDA), the Cali­ after successfully homeschooling her or using a public school independent similar results for her fornia Department of Education has been children for more than l O years, she is study curriculum. youngestson,butthe "quietly" grumbling abouthomeschoolers now considered to be "operating outside California law has not changed, nor six-year-old may not since 1993, arguing that the filing of Pri­ the law." The letters state that "'home­ have Mrs. Genova's teaching methods. realize the advantage vate School Affidavits does not exempt schooling' - a situation where non-cre­ Her eldest son is a sophomore at Hillsdale of solid home instruc­ children from the law. However, the De­ dentialed parents teach their own children, College and a scholarship recipient. He ~~~=~~~ tion if the state has partment "has no authority to regulate pri­ exclusively, at home whether using a cor­ attended community college for a year its way. vate schools nor does it enforce truancy Margaret Genova respondence course or other types of and was a straight-A student before he California is one (See Homeschoolers, page 4) Some 9/11 Lessons & Remembrances Excluded God, Patriotism

On the anniversary of the most deadly boy, 'Todd,' who taunts an Iraqi immi­ (MREdCo), however, these guidelines (e.g., student conflicts in school, civil attack ever on American soil, proposed grant named 'Osama."' were "designed to comply with the new rights conflicts in the 1960s, conflicts in lessons for school children included sto­ Of the lesson federal curriculum." (See www.families the Middle East, current conflicts in the ries such as "My Name is Osama," of­ plans recommend­ andworkorg/91 lah/lp_3-5 _ vk_7.html.) United States concerning women's issues fered by the National Council for Social ed for 9/11 by vari­ MREdCo's email alert of9-6-02 points or sexual orientation)." The NEA's rec­ Studies. The San Francisco Bay area Mer­ ous educational or­ out that the new federal standards (cur­ ommendation that teachers discuss the cury News described it as a short story ganizations, those riculum) are preoccupied with "diversity" "internment of Japanese after Pearl Har­ "about a young boy from Iraq who im­ supplied by the and that "all history and civics are pre­ bor" and other perceived American sins migrates to the United States and is teased NEA created the sented in light of diversity and bias." For on the anniversary of9/l l was in line with at school because of his name." biggest uproar example: "Working in small groups, stu­ this federal education standard. (http:// But author and syndicated columnist for their "blame dents should make a list of both contem­ www.mcrel.org/standards-benchmarks/ Ann Coulter accused the lesson plan of America" approach. porary and historical conflicts that have activities/output.asp? Activity=2 l 7) "calculatedly inciting hatred toward white Ann Coulter (See Education Re­ arisen as a result of diversity issues. These MREdCo explains that "diversity cur­ American boys." Coulter wrote (9-12- porter, September 2002.) According to conflicts may be small or large; they may riculum is intertwined into all the areas of 02) that "the story is about a nasty little the Maple River Education Coalition involve individuals, groups, or nations (See 9/1 I, page 4) 2 EDUCATIONREPORTER, OCTOBER 2002

EDUCATION Miss America (Continuedfrompagel) ____ _ Bookof the Month BRIEFS~ Land of Lincoln before being crowned tion for several hundred Chicago-area stu­ Miss Illinois 2002. dents. Fifteen young women represent­ ing 13 states and the District of Colum­ Florida elementary schools with the As a Project Reality spokeswoman, Miss Harold addressed audiences as diverse bia, who successfully competed in beauty _____&id....,...__. largest dass sizes earned the best pageants including Miss America, Miss grades for 2001. According to as national and state legislators and the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chi­ Black USA and Miss All-American Latina, Florida Education Secretary Jim The Politics of the PT A, Charlene K. cago. Last spring, she submitted written made short presentations at this celebra­ Home, the 580 schools that earned an Haar, Transaction Publishers, 2002, 159 testimony on welfare reform reauthori­ tion after advocating for abstinence as A averaged 24. l students per class­ pps., $39.95 hardcover, $24.95 paper. room compared to 19.9 students in zation to the U.S. House Committee on their pageant platforms. In April, a group of pageant titlehold­ 41 schools that received an F. The Energy and Commerce supporting absti­ In her eye-opening new book, ers including Miss Black USA 2001 Lisa 353 schools earning a B had 23.2 stu­ nence education programs nationwide. Charlene Haar confirms what many of Marie Miree, 1999 Mary dents per classroom, and 417 schools Mrs. Sullivan pointed out that many us have long suspected, that the Na­ earning a C had 22.6 students per of the Miss America contestants are ex­ Louise Kurey, and 2001 tional Congress of Parents and Teach­ class. Schools that earned a D (116) ceptional young women who care about Ashley Huff, traveled to Washington, DC ers (PT A) "is largely a political arm of to meet with Congressmen and their staffs averaged 21.9 students per class. important issues. She cited first runner­ the teacher unions" and supports their about the need to continue funding for Nonetheless, a coalition of groups, up , Scarlotte Deupree, radical political abstinence-until-marriage programs. including the far-left People for the whose platform emphasized the impor­ causes and agendas. American Way, is backing a proposed tance of teaching children to read. "Miss "These programs are helping teens to un­ The politics of the amendment to the Florida constitution Deupree talked about the importance of derstand the benefits of abstinence as well PT A are liberal and, as helping them to avoid the negative con­ that would reduce class sizes in the mothers reading to their children as a ben­ like those of the NEA, public schools to 18 students in K-3, efit to the entire family," Mrs. Sullivan said. sequences of STDs and pregnancy," have little or nothing 22 students in grades 4-8, and 25 stu­ At a reception immediately following Project Reality spokeswoman Kurey told to do with education. the Congressmen. "Continuing funding dents in high school classes. Finan­ the nationally televised pageant, the new Although the for these programs will reduce costs in cial analysts estimate the cost of this Miss America urged her fellow contes­ PT A is still perceived other areas and will benefit young people amendment to be $20-$27 billion over tants to "keep together" for the purpose as representing most public school par­ eight years. In July, a trial judge of bringing "good" messages to young both physically and emotionally." ents and teachers, only about 10% of blocked the state of Florida from en­ people, including sexual abstinence and Funded in part by a grant from the all families with school-age children are avoidance of drugs, alcohol, and violence. Illinois Department of Human Services, for:cing a new law requiring that vot­ dues-paying members. Local PTA af­ Project Reality's programs - including ers be informed of the projected costs "Such encouragement from glamorous filiates operate in slightly more than 21% of some amendments appearing on the young women who are themselves suc­ the popular "Game Plan" abstinence cur­ of the nation's schools, according to election ballot. cessful in practicing these virtues can riculum by AC. Green - served 71,000 1998 figures. make a big difference in young people's students last year in Illinois alone. Absti­ In Chapters 2 and 3, which are par­ nence education programs have been An NCES study shows private lives, as our Project Reality spokeswomen ticularly interesting, Haar describes the school students are twice as likely have shown," asserted Mrs. Sullivan. credited for contributing to the recent PTA's founding era from its concep­ as public school students to earn Last January, Project Reality orga­ decline in teen births, currently at a 40- tion by a group called the National Con­ college degrees. The National Cen­ nized a "Power of Abstinence" celebra- year-low in Illinois. ,;I gress of Mothers in the 1870s to its of­ ter for Education Statistics also found ficial founding in 1897, then explores that students from low-income fami­ HOLLYWOODSRAl~STORMING SESSl°"' its historical development and agenda expansion through the mid l 920s. lies who attend private schools are !-\OWil-\ll\i l-\U>.1-l~~I':> A ':>TAR, WI;.fll~'\) iO 11-\l~KOf '1JOMe: While the PTA's stated mission re­ nearly four times as likely as their pub­ K!l-11)Of CP,{.\<'.:>E:'.~e; CAN lic school peers to graduate from col­ C.1-\AM?IO~10 I<.~? 1-1~11'1 mains "to support and speak on behalf il-\e; 1-IME.t..l~r\Tr ,___,,...,, lege. The results are based on data of children and youth," Haarreveals that for students who were eighth graders only two items in the PT A's "Statement in 1988. The 340-page report, titled of Principles" deal specifically with edu­ "The Condition of Education 2002," cation: "vocational-technical compe­ was released early this summer. tence" and "educational opportunity." Other "Principles" include "human val­ House Majority Whip Tom DeLay ues," "safety," "conservation of natu­ has a website dedicated to teaching ral resources," "constructive leisure," high school students about the U.S. "human relations," "civic responsibil­ Constitution. Visitors may browse an ity," and "international understanding." outline of our founding document as Haar writes that the PTA has aban­ well as the entire text. The website doned its "commitment to promoting includes a display of all 27 amendments the educational achievement and well­ with notations, a photograph of the being of children," for such pursuits as original handwritten Constitution, and lobbying in state legislatures and in navigation links to help locate key con­ Washington, DC to achieve its political cepts. Trivia questions, links to "Other objectives, such as more federal pro­ Great Documents of Freedom," and a grams that often undermine parental au­ children's page are also featured. http:/ Golden Rule (Continuedfrompage ]) ______thority. "Abandoned also," she writes, /majoritywhip.house.gov/constitution "is the PTA's role as an independent ana­ "As I listened to the Hate-Free Schools every classroom. "The teacher explains lyst of education policy." presentation," states Mrs. Koehle, "it oc­ to students that this is the main rule of the Education Reporter (ISSN 0887-0608) The good news is that, after almost curred to me that we could save a lot of class," Mrs. Koehle describes. "Teach­ is published monthly by Eagle Forum four decades of decreasing member­ Education & Legal Defense Fund with time and money if we would just return ers can then take students' suggestions ship, the PT A has become a minor editorial offices at 7800 Bonhomme to the Golden Rule, the concept that in­ (See Golden Rule, page 3) player. Most schools have parent or­ Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105, (314) 721- fluenced our schools and our society for ganizations not affiliated with the Na­ 1213,fax (314) 721-3373. Editor: Sue over 200 years: 'Do unto others as you Swom Statement of Ownership tional PTA. Kunstmann. The views expressed in this would have them do unto you."' She But as Haar concludes, the PT A re­ The Education Reporter is published drafted a handbook composed of 16 prin­ mains a reality, albeit one that "can nei­ newsletter are those of the persons monthlyat 7800 Bonhomme, St. Louis, MO quoted and should not be attributed to ciples and procedures (some based on 63105. ther stand up to teacher union interests Eagle Forum Education & Legal De­ procedures already in use in some schools) Publisher: Eagle Forum Education & nor fairly represent parental interests in lfense Fund. Annual subscription $25. to teach children to respect one another, Legal Defense Fund, 7800 Bonhomme, St improving their children's local Back issues available @ $2. Periodi­ their teachers and principals, and their Louis, MO 63105. Known bondholders, schools." cals postage paid at Alton, Illinois. school rules. mortgages, or other security holders: none. Contact Transaction Publishers, 35 Web site: http://www.eagleforum.org A school's first step in implementing Infonnation on circulation not required as Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854, E-mail: [email protected] the program is to post the Golden Rule in no advertising is canied. 732/445-2280. EDUCATIONREPORTE~ OCTOBER2002 3

FQC US : Pervertingthe ScholasticAptitude Test

By Julie Quist The SAT Board is also dropping the new mandated federal curriculum. All Required federal standards de-empha­ entire SAT analogies section of the test state assessments are being aligned with size the knowledge that used to be con­ he SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) has because of criticism that word analogies the new federal curriculum. The SAT is sidered education. Students are instead Tbeen used by colleges for many years "are not taught in school." The word now also being aligned with the new trained in skills for jobs. Such is the new to predict the success of students in col­ analogies are being dropped because they federal curriculum. (See "How did We alignment of the SAT. As a consequence, lege. Colleges have found SATs to be an measure aptitude, not achievement. Get a Federal Curriculum?" February 13, the SAT realignment will recommend for effective tool in measuring college apti­ Why would the SAT, 2002, http://www.townhall.com/colum­ advancement to post-secondary educa­ tude, that is, the ability to do college work. which has been highly nists/phyllisschlafly/ps200202l3 .shtml.) tion those students who most thoroughly Since colleges are interested in admitting accurate as a college The implications of this realignment parrot the worldview of the now required those students who will be successful in aptitude test, entirely of the SAT are profound. The new fed­ federal curriculum. Private and home­ post-secondary work, the SAT has been redefine itself? eral K-12 curriculum requires little more schooled students who haven't picked up one of the most widely used college apti­ The answer to that than minimum competencies in knowl­ on the new curriculum will be at a dis­ tude tests in the nation. question can be found edge-based learning. Attitudes and beliefs tinct disadvantage. An aptitude test is different from an by looking at the new are the core cur- Nonpublic educators have always prided themselves on their students out­ achievement test. An achievement test federal curriculum, the riculum of the The realigned looks at what a student has accomplished. "national standards" new federal stan­ performing public school students on the An aptitude test tries to predict what a that all students in pub­ dards. The fed­ SAT will test SAT. They have used high SAT scores student will accomplish, that is, graduate lic K-12 schools must eral curriculum for diversity as evidence of their success. The new successfully from college. An achieve­ now, by federal law, Julie Quist is about creating and the ac- SAT will dramatically change all that, be­ ment test looks at the past. An aptitude "know and be able to a new global citi­ ceptance of cause the new SAT will not test aptitude. It will test for knowledge of the new fed­ test looks at the future. do." (The federal No Child Left Behind zen, not educat­ every value In June, the Trustees of the College legislation and its curricular mandates are ing children with eral curriculum. Approximately 10% of Board for the SAT voted to change the addressed on the internet at http://www. broad-based system and U.S. K-12 students attend non-public SAT from an aptitude test to an achieve­ edwatch.org/updates/022102.htm). knowledge. spiritual schools. Unless nonpublic entities teach ment test ("College Board to Vote on Over­ The National Standards for Civics The re­ philosophy that curriculum, their nonpublic students hauling SAT I, Adding Writing Section," Education, developed and distributed by aligned SAT will imaginable. will have a harder time being accepted Washington Post, http:/ /www.startribune. the Center for Civic Education with fund­ test for diversity into colleges ( or qualifying for scholar­ com/stories/484/3016538.html). The ing and authorization granted by federal and the accep- ships, advanced placement and the like). changes are described as "the most sig­ education law, under "Audiences and uses tance of every value system and spiritual The new SAT will marginalize non-public nificant overhaul in the 76-year history of the National Standards," state: "As­ philosophy imaginable, while undermin­ students who do not comply with the fed­ of the nation's most widely used such sessment specialists. Standards are essen­ ing the pride of our unique American heri­ eral curriculum. test." With these changes, the SAT will tial to the development of assessment pro­ tage and respect for the Judeo-Christian Since the federal Goals 2000/School­ be redefined as something entirely differ­ grams designed to determine acceptable worldview. Expect the SAT to take an to-W ork laws were passed in 1994, re­ ent from what it has been. David Jacob, levels of performance." ("National Stan­ approach to environmentalism that reveres structuring education for all students in spokesman for the College Board, the dards for Civics and Government, Part the earth but casts a hostile eye at indi­ our country, including bringing nonpublic nonprofit higher education association that VI," http://www.civiced.org/stds_toc_ vidual ownership of private property. school students under its all-encompass­ owns the SAT, said: "The overall objec­ i ntro. html) The new curriculum does not admit ing umbrella, has been a top concern. The tive is to align the test more closely with In other words, assessments will to objective fact or "self evident truths," SAT realignment is one significant way what is taught in school today ... " measure curriculum (civics education as our Declaration of Independence puts the agents of change in this country will In other words, the SAT will now test identifies itself as central to all other cur­ it. Don't expect students to know or be accomplish that goal. a student's achievement in K-12 school. ricula) that must match the new federal tested on unalienable rights oflife, liberty Julie Quist, an education researcher, ana­ That is, it will measure how well the stu­ curriculum. The national norm-referenced and property as the foundations of our lyst, and the mother of 10, is Founding Vice dent has absorbed the curriculum the tests, such as the Iowa Basics, are being liberty; the basic rights have been super­ President of the Maple River Education school system has provided. required to align their content with the ceded by the well-being of the group. Coalition (website www.EdWatch.org).

Golden Rule (Continuedfrompage2) ______school administrators. being taught in the Gold Rule School pro­ Mrs. Koehle points out that the advan­ gram is badly needed in our public schools for additional rules, such as no gum chew­ Golden Rule School teachers will re- tages of the Golden Rule School include: today. Much of what is being proposed

ing, note passing, swearing, putting class­ spect the personal and religious beliefs of ♦ No extra in-service training for over- is what I used in my own classroom mates down, or talking before being called students and the_ir f~,-~----,,,:,,.worked teachers. when I was a teacher. I have seen first on to speak" parents. They will Golde 11 l ♦ No "diversity" training which hand the remarkable success of such a A positive character trait is selected honor opt-out forms ""\.~e,schoo/''11~\ may violate the personal or religious program." to be taught each week or month. Exer­ and equal access beliefs of students and their parents. Trustee of the Sierra Unified Schools

cises include choosing a famous quota­ codes, which means "Do unto ,,,,~,,,,~· ♦ No negative labels such as "Hate­ (K-12) and former kindergarten teacher tion that exemplifies each trait and assign­ that if a school al­ as you would Free," which suggest that schools or for 20 years, Sharon Kientz, observed: ing written work and holding class dis­ lows pro-gay presen­ have: them students not so labeled are hateful. "The Golden Rule School is something the unto you." cussions about the quote. These exer­ tations, it must also ♦ Positive student response: One schools have long needed. It is a very cises can be incorporated into English, allow presentations student wrote that, with the use of clear plan to be implemented by teachers Literature, History, Science, and even by ex-gays. Health famous quotations in class, "we are and administrators to teach students civil­ music classes. In art classes, students teachers will stress being taught great moral truths that ity and character guidance. I am recom­ can make posters demonstrating the trait the teaching of absti­ we would not hear otherwise." mending it for the teachers in my district."

of the month to hang on school walls. nence and show re- ♦ The Golden Rule helps students Sharon Hughes of Santa Rosa, a busi­ Other aspects of the program include spect for monogamous, heterosexual mar­ think before they say or do something nesswoman and concerned mother and setting up a student government and ro­ riage as cited in California Education Codes negative to their peers. grandmother, remarked to Mrs. Koehle:

tating officers so that all students show­ 51220.5 and 51553. ♦ Students enjoy the in-class court ses­ "Finally, a positive alternative to the lib­ ing personal responsibility get an oppor­ Minor discipline problems will be sions, even when they are on trial them­ eral agenda in our public schools! The tunity to serve. Appropriate dress codes handled primarily in the classroom, allow­ selves. Golden Rule School is based on respect, for students and teachers are adopted, and ing students to experience and learn about Mrs. Koehle is already receiving posi­ kindness, and the time-honored basic truth desks and classrooms are to be kept neat. our judicial system by holding in-class tri­ tive feedback about the program. Former of 'Do Unto Others as You Would Have Students and teachers are to show respect als for offending students by a jury of superintendent of schools for l 7 years in Them Do Unto You' which, when in­ for the U.S. flag and for our form of gov­ their peers. Any punishment will ulti­ Forestville, California, Dr. Ray Parnay, stilled in youth, will spill over into their ernment. mately be decided by the teacher or stated: "The character education that is entire lives." " 4 EDUCATIONREPORTER, OCTOBER 2002 Pro-family Groups Winning Textbook Battle in Texas

ROUND ROCK, TX - Becky Jesus from the dead, was seen as proof to incorporate the word "republic" into a erating "for the good" of all people, while Armstrong of Texas Eagle Forum (TEF) of Jesus's divinity." description of representative government. condemning our economy as greedy. is one of a small but dedicated army of ♦ On page 58 of this textbook, TEF's These victories follow the successful Others claim that slavery was invented textbook reviewers getting results from objection that coverage of the Crusades efforts of individuals and pro-family by Western European societies. "Make publishers for their efforts to correct fac­ was "too compressed" resulted in a more groups last year to influence the adoption no mistake," he asserts, "left-wing groups tual errors and balance leftwing bias. Re­ clear and accurate description. of better environmental science textbooks want censorship. They unabashedly seek cently, Prentice Hall responded positively ♦ On page 43 of World Ex­ by the Texas State Board of Edu­ to censor the triumph of the American to TEF 's concerns - as presented by plorer, TEF objected that a ""' cation (SBOE). Five textbooks experiment while discrediting opponents Armstrong - about two new textbooks, sidebar on global wanning were adopted, one was rejected, with assertions of hidden agendas." The American Nation and World Explorer: was "not well connected to one was accepted after revisions Sullivan maintains that "open govern­ People, Places and Cultures. the narrative," and that it established glo­ were made, and two more were volun­ ment and public involvement in the re­ Prentice Hall made changes based on bal warming as fact without mentioning tarily withdrawn by the publishers. view process has vastly improved the TEF's recommendations, including: the other side of the debate. The sidebar While liberals blamed "censorship" quality of textbooks." ♦ Page 56 of The American Nation did and a related exercise were removed. and "rightwing political correctness" for Vital to this process is Texas's elected not mention the resurrection of Jesus as ♦ On page 53 of World Explorer, TEF's the rejection of Environmental Science: SBOE, and critics would like to make it a tenet of Christianity. The publisher cor­ suggested revision resulted in a more ac­ Creating a Sustainable Future, published an appointed board. According to Mel rected this omission by inserting: "A key curate definition of the free enterprise sys­ by Jones & Bartlett, SBOE member Don and Norma Gabler of Longview, Texas, tenet of Christianity, the resurrection of tem and, on page 55, the publisher agreed McLeroy wrote in a review of the text­ founders of Educational Research Ana­ book that "the entire construct of the book lysts and textbook reviewers for over 40 is based on factual error and false pre­ years, Texas' elected state board is too Homeschoolers (Continued from page]) ______mise." He quoted from the preface, writ­ popular to do away with outright, so op­ ten by its author, Daniel Chiras: "The main ponents are instead trying to gut its power. laws; that is left to local school districts." Pacific Justice Institute, the Capitol Re­ theme of this book is that the long-term One recent legislative effort would have Education officials claim that allow­ source Institute and other legal and pro­ wellbeing of this planet and its inhabit­ ended the board's approval of textbooks, ing horneschools to operate as private family authorities say this action is pre­ ants is in jeopardy and that to create an they note, letting California dictate the con­ schools "is contrary to legislative intent." mature. "There is nothing illegal about enduring human presence, we must make tent. Other efforts would have weakened But HSLDA points out that nothing in the home-based private schools or non-cre­ a massive course change." Buzzwords the Texas Permanent School Fund, which text of [statute] §48222 "expressly or by dentialed parents teaching in such and phrases in the opening pages include pays for textbooks. implication prohibits parents from estab­ schools," notes Pacific Justice Institute "rethink and restructure," "revamp," "re­ Texas is the second-largest textbook lishing a private school exclusively for the attorney Roger Ho. "The Department of design," and "reshape" modem society, buyer in the country ( after California), and instruction of their own children. 'Pri­ Education's antagonism toward home­ while blaming economic and human popu­ books adopted in Texas often end up in vate school' is not defined anywhere in schools is longstanding, and it appears that lation growth as "root causes" of envi­ other states. "If private citizens and pro­ the statutes, nor are private schools lim­ they are simply using [local offices of ronmental problems. family public policy organizations in our ited or described in terms of number of education] to scare parents into putting Michael Quinn Sullivan, spokesman state are monitoring textbooks for errors, students, location, size of facilities, or re­ their children into the public schools." for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a politically correct bias and offensive in­ lationship of students to teachers." The The California Homeschool Network group that also participates in the text­ formation, that helps children every­ only requirement in the law is that the agrees. Its president, Karen Taylor, told book review process, points out that text­ where," Becky Armstrong points out. "owners" or other heads of private WorldNetDaily that homeschool families books often contain factual errors. Ac­ "We have many champions working schools file an affidavit with the Superin­ should file affidavits as usual, and that cording to Sullivan, one high school sci­ on it, starting with the Gablers, who are tendent of Public Instruction attesting the state has put out false information "to ence textbook claimed that "the sun is true American heroes," she continues. "under penalty of perjury" that certain intimidate people not to homeschool." stationary" and another stated that "the "The Gablers have been blowing the facts about the private school are true. Many observers believe the true mo­ use of chlorofluorocarbons has been whistle on error-filled textbooks for de­ The Genovas and more than 14,000 tive is money. When a student is home­ banned around the world," when in fact cades." In 1999, the Texas State Senate other California families have been doing schooled, the California public school their use is not banned in the United States. passed a resolution acknowledging the that for years. Some county education system loses as much as $6,000 per year. Sullivan adds that errors and bias also Gablers' "many years of volunteer ser­ departments and some officials at the state Others speculate that the recent urging abound in social studies textbooks. One vice ... promoting excellence in educa­ Department of Education are refusing to by Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the book describes socialist systems as op- tion for our young Texans ... " ~ issue the affidavits, although the forms Family and radio talk show host Laura are available from HSLDA and other Schlesinger that California parents remove homeschool-friendly organizations. As of their children from the public schools is 9f 11 (Continued from page ]) ______September 4, a new Private School Affi­ the primary motivator. Homeschool de­ davit is available on the Department of fender Gary Kreep, president of the U.S. 'study': Civics, Geography, History, Eco- choir from Seminole High School was in­ Education website. It contains "the same Justice Foundation in Escondido, told nomics, Language Arts, and so on. Also vited to sing at a 9/11 memorial service at misleading information about 'home­ WorldNetDaily that some education offi­ intertwined throughout will be the other the Central Baptist Church. The choir schooling' that has been propagated by cials don't like homeschoolers because major themes of the new federal curricu- includes a gospel choir, but the school the Department for the past 10 years or they escape the public schools' indoctri­ lum, such as environmentalism. Aca- refused to allow the group to sing because so," states HSLDA. The difference is that nation. "If you're not in public school demic subjects become a means to drive the event was to be held at a church. The the education establishment has stepped you can't be indoctrinated to think acer­ a social and political agenda." school district explained that its new policy up its rhetoric and become more aggres­ tain way," he observed. No Singing Allowed )' bans all school choirs from participat- sive in its efforts to portray homeschool­ Despite the urging of the Department At the University of California- ing at any events held on the grounds ing as illegal. of Education, California lawmakers intro­ Berkeley, a 9/11Day ofRemembrance of a church. Many parents are fearful of the fu­ duced no legislation to change the laws sponsored by the Chancellor's of- The legal group Liberty Counsel is ture. Margaret Genova reports that the affecting private "homeschooling" during fice and organized by the Associated considering a federal lawsuit in re- state is disseminating homeschoolers' the legislative session that ended August Students of the University of California sponse to what it called the "absurd" no­ names and addresses to local public school 31. Renewed attempts are expected when (ASUC) was to exclude any displays of tion that this same high school choir could districts and that the districts are contact­ the new legislature convenes in Decem­ red, white and blue, as well as the sing- sing the same songs anywhere but at a ing parents to push public "homeschool" ber. ing of the National Anthem. Organizers church. curricula so that students can "meet state Meanwhile, homeschooling organiza­ explained that they "didn't want anything These incidents paint the sad picture standards." Toe Genovas received a flyer tions are urging parents to resume busi­ too centered on nationalism - anything of an education system teaching its chil­ from the Vista Unified School District in ness as usual, since virtually nothing has that is 'Go U.S.A."' dren bias against their own nation and tra- San Diego County touting the district's changed. The Genovas plan to do just A lead planner of the event told "Cali- ditions in an effort to be "tolerant" and public "homeschool" program. that. "We must stand up for our children fomia Patriot Online" that "Patriotic songs "diverse." As Ann Coulter's column about "They know who we are," Mrs. Genova and for what we know is right," Marga­ may exclude and offend people, because "Osama" points out, the real "Todd" of says, "and some parents are already so ret Genova asserts. "The bottom line is there are so many people who don't agree September 11, realizing that the hijackers afraid of either being arrested or losing that, as parents, we have a fundamental with the songs. 'God Bless America' is of flight 93 were "on a mis­ their children or both that they're throw­ right to direct the education of our chil­ very exclusive because it mentions God." sion of death," prayed to his God and ing in the towel." But the HSLDA, the dren." ~ In Sanford, Florida, an award-winning "decided to fight back." ~