A true hero who stood up to the RW agenda in education

[proud2BlibKansan]

is Patricia Polacco. I am posting this as a response to the numerous threads about the Science Teachers' Assn refusing free copies of Inconvenient Truth.

Polacco is a very popular children's author. Every elementary teacher and many parents know who she is. Here is her website:
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/

And here is how she stood up to the RW agenda:

Thursday 11 May 2006

To All Educators, Librarians, and Media Specialists

Regarding the cancellation of my appearance at the IRA in Chicago for May 2 and 3, 2006:

A few months ago, I was approached by The Buchanan Associates in Dublin, Ohio, to appear at the International Reading Association Conference in Chicago on May 2 and 3, 2006. I was to be part of 5 events: speeches, "meet and greet," and book signings.

I was happy to accept the invitation which, I assumed, was coming from the IRA and my publisher. It is always such an honor for me to speak and interact with teachers and librarians from around the country.

But, then, a very disturbing turn of events transpired. My staff started receiving phone calls and emails from this firm in Ohio requesting that I furnish them with a detailed written outline of what I intended to include in my speeches. I assumed, of course, that this was asked so that a synopsis of my content could be included in a printed brochure furnished to the conferees.

You can imagine my astonishment when I finally called the firm and learned that this was not the reason. They requested my written outline because their "client" wanted to make sure that I would not discuss my deep concern about the "No Child Left Behind" mandate ... as well as my concern that there is a link between this mandate and the SRA/McGraw Hill Company, which manufactures, prints, and profits from the sale of these tests to school systems all over our country.

more . . .http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/051106N.shtml

This is very significant because the IRA is just as influential in education as the NSTA. Yet, when their agenda is opposed, no one talks about it. I posted a thread about this when it happened last spring and it got very few hits. Now we are up in arms over the NSTA crap.

Not everyone in education is evil, hates children or is not willing to stand up for what is in the best interest of our kids. Please remember Patricia Polacco and what she did.

[tinfoil tiaras]

1. I think she was the guest author one year at the elementary part of my school

I didn't see her because I was in middle school, but I vaguely remember seeing her name in the yearbook...

That's cool. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. She is really awesome

And so popular it takes years to book her to come to a school. Your kids were very lucky!

[tinfoil tiaras]

3. Whoaa...really.

I just looked in my yearbooks and found out she came the year before last. Way cool. We must be special...haha.

[niallmac]

4. I'm kicking this I am. How many know about this McGraw Hill stuff?

I know the NCLB means big bucks for those Bushie pals involved.
Don't all of Dubyas projects profit his pals?
I think hero's like Polacco deserve our moral support at least.
Thanks for the post. I was not aware.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Thank you. Did you see this at the link:

Editor's Note: Popular children's author Patricia Polacco has been censured by McGraw-Hill for her statements critical of President Bush's education reform program, No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The Nation has reported that "the amount of cross-pollination and mutual admiration between the Administration and that empire is striking: Harold McGraw Jr. sits on the national grant advisory and founding board of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. McGraw in turn received the highest literacy award from President Bush in the early 1990s, for his contributions to the cause of literacy. The McGraw Foundation awarded current Bush Education Secretary Rod Paige its highest educator's award while Paige was Houston's school chief; Paige, in turn, was the keynote speaker at McGraw-Hill's "government initiatives" conference last spring. Harold McGraw III was selected as a member of President George W. Bush's transition advisory team.... An ex-chief of staff for Barbara Bush is returning to work for Laura Bush in the White House - after a stint with McGraw-Hill as a media relations executive. John Negroponte left his position as McGraw-Hill's executive vice president for global markets to become Bush's ambassador to the United Nations." Neil Bush left McGraw-Hill when he started his educational software company, Ignite. - vh/TO

[seabeyond]

6. in my very red area, republican educators are fighting all this

as strongly and effectively as any liberal i have seen. i have come across very few that support the nclb. that includes not only teachers but the principles and board members on aisd. all republicans. all with the best interest for children. none of them pushing the religious right agenda

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I am so glad to hear that

And I am happy to report that even here in KS, we are adamantly opposed to NCLB.

[LWolf]

8. She is one of my very favorite picture book authors.

When I was working in the school library in the late 80s-early 90s, I got to meet her a few times, and work with her once. I've always loved her.

My current school does a reading marathon on Suess' birthday, (read across america, or one of those things). All adults read, and all kids travel from class to class to be read to. What was my choice last year?

Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco.

Did you know she had a learning disability, and was a "struggling reader" in elementary school? "Mr. Falker" is her tribute to the teacher that helped her turn on the light.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I read that book to my special ed kids on the first day of school every year

It is such a wonderful story.

[OneBlueSky]

10. kicked/recommended . . . people should know about this . . . n/t

.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Yes they should, especially as they go Christmas shopping

Put Patricia Polacco books on your list for kids.

[pstans]

12. Wow, I didn't know this

I will have to read more of Polacco's stories in my classroom. She is a great author and her books provide great historical and culural background that many kids lack.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Well I am glad to fill you in then

[BrklynLiberal]

14. K&R

[Quantess]

15. NTSA & IRA

Could you tell us what the acronyms stand for?

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. Nat'l Science Teachers Assn

International Reading Assn