The Coal Industry in America's Classrooms

(cross posted at Moms Clean Air Force)

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about Scholastic's short lived curriculum, intended for fourth graders, entitled The United States of Energy.  The American Coal Foundation paid thousands of dollars for Scholastic to generate and promote a curriculum (read:  propaganda) that promoted coal and didn't list one problem with this harmful and dangerous energy source. Thankfully, the good folks at the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood started a campaign to end this intrusion into the hearts and minds of our students.  The curriculum was pulled, and the practice of corporate driven curriculum is being reviewed by Scholastic.

Now, here is an article from the Washington Post about how the coal industry continues to forward its agenda in America's classrooms, particularly in the areas around coal mining and production.  As a teacher and parent, I find this article upsetting, but not surprising.  

The gist of the article is that industry supplies what is dwindling most in our public education system:  money. Grants and awards to teachers are common.  These are lovely if they are truly altruistic, and without strings.  That doesn't seem to be the case here.  Take this quote for example:

"In the Appalachian mining communities of Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, the Coal Education Development and Resources foundation, known as CEDAR, offers small grants to teachers whose lessons dovetail with its industry-driven mission.

The school system and the coal industry have honored Bright Laney’s work. She was named CEDAR’s state teacher of the year in 2006 and 2009, winning a $1,000 award each time. Last year, the Interstate Mining Compact Commission named her its national teacher of the year, showering her with free educational products. "

Industry-driven mission.  What a profound phrase. How it has made its way into our classrooms without much notice, is astounding.  As a teacher, you can smell curriculum like this a mile away.  I've seen a few in my decade of teaching.  Interest groups like pro-hunting, pro-gun ownership and pro-clear cutting (or "managed" forests).  These curricula may even have some redeeming educational qualities, but about halfway through, you see the opinion and unbalanced bias like you smell a skunk on the highway.  Then after reviewing the movie, book or kit, I shake my head and put it back on the shelf. 

Not all of America's teachers put them back on the shelf.  Or they fear they can't.  Of course there is some bias in most everything. But isn't it our job, as the teacher, to present the most balanced, researched, and factual information possible?  To debate, engage, and cite? 

CEDAR takes it a step farther in a video for teachers, called (of all things) “The Greening of Planet Earth.” According to the article, one quote from the movie says, “our world is deficient in carbon dioxide, and a doubling of atmospheric CO2 is very beneficial.” That has been widely disputed by world scientists.

Now that the majority of scientists have made clear with data, studies, and reports, the reality of global warming as a "controversy" has started to die. It's just what many of our politicians do, that changes perceptions. If they keep saying global warming doesn't exist, then people will believe them.

And that is exactly what is happening in the classroom. We need to be raising creative, critical thinking, problem solvers, that can face the increasingly complex challenges our society faces. We don't need industry mucking up what should be a balanced curriculum that teaches students about issues, with perspective taking, reasoned logic, and problem solving as the goal.

The article also states that the same process is playing out with fracking.  The natural gas companies that stand to make millions from fracking are pushing curriculum supporting the positives to this toxic and polluting process of natural gas extracting.  This next battle will be for the health of the very water we all drink.

What do you think?  Should industry driven curricula drive instruction in your child's school?

Please join the Moms Clean Air Force to help us fight for clean air for our kids.   We need your voice and support! If you haven't already, please email the EPA to show your support of the new Mercury and Air Toxics rule.  Thank you!

image:  New York Times