History To Be Re-Written

The Texas State board of Education has approved some controversial changes to what most students in the state will be studying in history, economic, and social study classes. Don McElroy, a board leader, explained that the measure is a way of "adding balance" in the classroom, since "academia is skewed too far to the left." And the board's critics have labeled the move an attempt by political "extremists" to "promote their ideology."

We hope this isn't so. Public school is to educate the next generation in general about the facts of history, regardless of whether they embarrass you or not. Naturally, liberals and conservatives will have differing views about the language that should be used. For instance, I believe the current curriculum is unfair and needs to be overhauled. The language is not neutral enough. Those with a "progressive" world view, on the other hand, have been endorsing changes in the other direction.

The main reason this has gained national attention is because Texas is one of the nation's largest consumers of school textbooks, and because of that, the textbook publishers tend to cater to their needs. It's part of the law of supply and demand - since there is such a huge demand for textbooks that meet the Texas standards, there will be a huge supply printed to meet that need. As a result, 80% of school districts around the nation end up with the same curriculum.

Here are just a few of the changes the Texas Board would like to make, and it may affect what your child will study:

* They would like to put more emphasis on "the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s." This means not only increased favorable mentions of Phyllis Schlafly, the founder of the Eagle Forum, but also more discussion of the Moral Majority, the Heritage Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Newt Gingrich's Contract With America. (All that sounds good to me. I mean, these are things that actually happened, and impacted America very, very profoundly.)

* They want to reduce coverage of Latino history and culture. (Now this is a sticky one for Texas. I understand that Hispanics have been living there for hundreds of years longer than white Americans. And I understand that those of Hispanic descent may want recognition of their roots and perpetuation of their identity. But how about expanded studies of the native Americans? How about expanding the coverage of the history and culture of England and Germany and the Scandinavian countries that populated early America and forcing our children to learn about all them right alongside that of Latino history and culture? My point is this: When you become an American citizen you should learn about the history of America. It is the duty of the family or local community to preserve whatever historical or cultural identity they want to preserve. Take a look at the Amish. They have done it well for hundreds of years. This is America. If you want to be American, learn the American way. If you want to be something else, fine, but don't make American schools teach your way of life.)

The proposals will come up for a final vote in May. Many of those that are crying "foul" are saying, "We just want things to be historically accurate." Believe me, those of us that are more conservative also want things to be historically accurate. But omitting important events and details that are contrary to your values is not being "historically accurate."

Let freedom reign, and the truth be told.