Changes

==The Language Police==

==The Language Police==

In her book "The Language Police" Diane Ravitch documents just how easy it is to get a word, phrase or idea banned from modern textbooks and references.  As with everything, follow the money trail.  Textbook producers are beholden to educational boards in a few key states such as New York or California. Once a big state makes a textbook purchase, it's very difficult for a small state or any muncipality to make any changes.  Thus, profound changes can be inserted into textbooks and reference books by putting pressure on educational boards. The work of textbook selection committee's is done privately, to avoid politicizing textbooks, but the reverse has happened. It's easier to pressure a lawmaker who is not beholden to community standards, but instead is enamored with political correctness. <ref>The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Children Learn by Diane Ravitch (c) 2003 published by Knopf</ref> Ravitch has documented "''bias guidelines''" for major publishers of texts and tests. These "guidelines" consist of advice to writers and editors about words and topics that must be avoided.<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003695</ref> There are many outrageous examples of what is now considered objectionable in modern text books:

In her book "The Language Police" Diane Ravitch documents just how easy it is to get a word, phrase or idea banned from modern textbooks and references.  Textbook producers are beholden to small non-elected educational boards in a few key states such as New York or California. Few citizens know anything about these boards or who holds the seats of power on these boards. It's not a difficult for an interest group to mobilize a campaign to bombard the educational board. Meanwhile, the public is not even aware that their words or values are under attack.

 

Then, once a big state makes a textbook purchase, it's very difficult for a small state or any muncipality to make any changes.  Thus, profound changes can be inserted into textbooks and reference books by putting pressure on a handful of educational administrators. The work of textbook selection committee's is done privately, to avoid politicizing textbooks, but the reverse has happened. It's easier to pressure a lawmaker who is not beholden to community standards, but instead is enamored with political correctness. <ref>The Language Police: How Pressure Groups Restrict What Children Learn by Diane Ravitch (c) 2003 published by Knopf</ref> Ravitch has documented "''bias guidelines''" for major publishers of texts and tests. These "guidelines" consist of advice to writers and editors about words and topics that must be avoided.<ref>http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003695</ref> There are many outrageous examples of what is now considered objectionable in modern text books:

* "Women cannot be depicted as caregivers or doing household chores.

* "Women cannot be depicted as caregivers or doing household chores.