Scholastic: "Path to 9/11 does not meet our high standards"

[Clarkie1]

Just received this e-mail from Scholastic after I sent them a letter regarding the film:

SCHOLASTIC REPLACES "THE PATH TO 9/11" CLASSROOM GUIDE WITH NEW DISCUSSION MATERIALS FOCUSING ON CRITICAL THINKING AND MEDIA LITERACY SKILLS

September 7, 2006 – New York, NY -- Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today announced that it is removing from its website the materials originally created for classroom use in conjunction with the ABC Television Network docudrama, "The Path to 9/1l," scheduled to air on the ABC Television Network on September 10 and 11, 2006. A new classroom discussion guide for high school students is being created and will focus more specifically on media literacy, critical thinking, and historical background.

"After a thorough review of the original guide that we offered online to about 25,000 high school teachers, we determined that the materials did not meet our high standards for dealing with controversial issues," said Dick Robinson, Chairman, President and CEO of Scholastic. "At the same time, we believe that developing critical thinking and media literacy skills is crucial for students in today’s society in order to participate fully in our democracy and that a program such as ‘The Path to 9/11’ provides a very ‘teachable moment’ for developing these skills at the high school level. We encourage teachers not to shy away from the controversy surrounding the program, but rather to engage their students in meaningful, in-depth discussion."

The new guide clearly states that Scholastic had no involvement with developing the ABC docudrama, and that the company is not promoting the program, but that the program can provide a springboard to discussion about the issues leading up to 9/11, terrorism and the Middle East. The guide will focus on three issues:

Media Literacy - what is a docudrama; how does it differ from a documentary; what are the differences between factual reporting and a dramatization?

Background to 9/11 - what are some of the causes of unrest in the Middle East and other parts of the world that give rise to attacks on the U.S. and other countries?

Geography and Culture -- there is a long history of conflict in the Middle East. How well do students understand each of the countries involved and what influences their behavior?

Scholastic has been providing free educational materials for use in the classroom in conjunction with television programs and films since the 1950’s. Classroom discussion guides have also been created in the past to support discussion of major events such as the Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters, the shootings at Columbine and many others.

"As we have done with many discussion guides in the past related to major events, we encourage teachers to engage their students in these important discussions about news, media and public opinion. Understanding and evaluating media messages can be challenging for adults and young people alike and developing media literacy skills is critical for students in order for them to be well-informed participants in our democratic society," added Robinson.

The Scholastic mission is clearly stated in its credo and editorial platform which includes the statement: "Good citizens may honestly differ on important public questions. We believe that all sides of the issues of our times should be fairly discussed – with deep respect for facts and logical thinking – in classroom magazines, books and other educational materials used in schools and homes."

The new guide will be available on Friday, September 8 at www.scholastic.com/medialiteracy.

Contact: Kyle Good

212-343-4563

[WinkyDink]

1. BWAHAHAHAHA! This is AWESOME! Getting the students to

CRITIQUE the production and ASK QUESTIONS!

Bushco must be FURIOUS at this turn of events!

[tabasco]

15. I agree.

If it is actually done, it will be a very good thing.

[CatWoman]

2. it's on CNN web page

http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/07/news/companies/scholastic_911/?postversion=2006090717

[Clarkie1]

3. Thanks!

I was a little behind on the news cycle and e-mailed a letter threatening to organize a teacher boycott...makes my life a little easier. :-)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. Holy Fucking Shit We Have Had An Impact. This Is Awesome News!

Thank you so much for posting this. The Scholastic aspect of this controversy was one of the most important and to see this progress from them is quite exciting.

:toast:

[Nikki Stone 1]

29. And thank you to everyone who wrote and called!

This was amazingly quick.

[City Lights]

5. They think ABC's crockumentary provides a "teachable moment."

They still want HS students to watch it. :puke:

"At the same time, we believe that developing critical thinking and media literacy skills is crucial for students in today’s society in order to participate fully in our democracy and that a program such as ‘The Path to 9/11’ provides a very ‘teachable moment’ for developing these skills at the high school level. We encourage teachers not to shy away from the controversy surrounding the program, but rather to engage their students in meaningful, in-depth discussion."

[Clarkie1]

6. It's a very teachable moment.

Some HS students are going to watch it. Since they are going to watch it anyway, it's much better to engage students in a discussion of media literacy, the difference between a drama and a documentary, the way the media can be used to promote a political agenda, and so on.

"The guide will focus on three issues:

Media Literacy - what is a docudrama; how does it differ from a documentary; what are the differences between factual reporting and a dramatization?

Background to 9/11 - what are some of the causes of unrest in the Middle East and other parts of the world that give rise to attacks on the U.S. and other countries?

Geography and Culture -- there is a long history of conflict in the Middle East. How well do students understand each of the countries involved and what influences their behavior?"

I think it's delightful that high school students will be using their critical thinking skills to disect the lies and falsehoods. It's the most important thing we can teach young people today.

[City Lights]

10. I think those things can be taught without forcing kids to watch

six hours of right-wing propoganda.

On edit - There's a long thread in GDP about this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2816076&mesg_id=2816076

[Clarkie1]

11. Not necessary to watch the entire 6-hours necessarily.

And actually, media literacy cannot be taught without watching and analyzing media propaganda whether it be a 30-second commercial or, in this case, a politically biased "docudrama."

[TahitiNut]

13. "Triumph Of The Will" was a teachable monent, too.

:puke:

[Iowa]

22. I thought the same thing, No Surrender...

They're still pushing the propaganda. This show is crap - pure right-wing propaganda - and it has no place in any curriculum unless specifically targeted to teaching about propaganda. But that's not what this company is saying. They're pushing it as a "controversy". It's not a controversy. It's a damned lie. Big difference.

No victory here, as I read this. Just plausible deniability - a dodge to cover their complicity in pushing the propaganda, and an attempt to shake us loose.

[uppityperson]

7. Good job everyone.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. That's what happens when you teach people to think for themselves!

Their ass feels well and truly chomped on, I betcha. :rofl:

[readmoreoften]

9. HAHAHAHA! THEY GOT PUNKED!!!! This is better than NO study guide!

Basically, all I was hoping was for Scholastic to pull the project. But now they're going to put out a guide that teaches students to criticize this piece of shit. Even better than having it pulled.

"Teachable Moment" indeed :)!

[TahitiNut]

12. "Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills" ... in WHOSE schools?

:wow:

Perhaps people in the whoreporate media should develop those skills? When I was in school (henceforth to be abbreviated WIWIS), that was a primary focus of my Civics classes in both Junior and Senior High School. I can only assume I went to school on another planet.

[chat_noir]

14. save for posterity

[Berry Cool]

16. Oh, this is just wonderful.

I say, let them see the show. Let them learn how to discern between what is fact and what is fiction by testing them with a real challenge. Why not? It is not the first time they will have to do it.

Critical thinking skills are best tested by exposure to propaganda. If it is swallowed uncritically--no matter whose side it comes from--it is proof that the person is not using those skills.

This really IS a teachable moment. Teach kids the difference between fact and fiction, news and spin.

[Clarkie1]

17. Well said.

:thumbsup:

[Iowa]

24. I'd have no problem using it in this manner if my kid's teacher is a DUer.

But most teachers aren't. Teachers in my community would use it as intended - to prop up the RW agenda. I see a net loss from bringing this piece of propaganda into our schools.

[Clarkie1]

27. Well, I have more faith in teachers.

Teachers are college educated and therefore most are liberal minded. Teaching in public schools doesn't tend to be a profession that attracts a lot of conservatives. I'm a public school teacher and no one on the staff is a Republican.

I think another important point to understand is that it is a choice of the individual teacher whether they use these materials or not. Teachers are professionals and the curriculum is not dictated by Scholastic or any other company. If this guide is what Scholastic says it is, then I'm sure some teachers will find it useful in the classroom to promote media literacy and critical thinking, which are critically important skills many adults still need to develop.

In my opinion, there can be no greater lesson than to teach students to think critically and question what they read, see, and hear. This movie, whether we like it or not, is most likely going to get a lot of airplay. A lot of people are going to see it, and it is going to be discussed. It ought to be discussed, critically, in classrooms as well. The alternative is to remain silent. If schools do not address current events and what is happening in a democratic society they fail to serve a democratic society.

[Iowa]

30. I'm referring to the schools in my community...

...not teachers as a whole. In my town it would be counter-productive (unless you count some of the math, science, and art teachers). Unfortunately, of those likely to get into it here, the Kool-Aid drinkers outnumber the Dems.

But actually, as a parent I've gotta say that I'd really just prefer to keep things like partisan political propaganda out of the curriculum altogether. If you were teaching it, I'd be all for it, because we probably share the same views... I'd trust you to get the right message across to my kids. But in a very general sense, if the subject matter requires that I vet the personal beliefs of the teacher, it's probably something I'd just prefer to handle myself.

I speak as one who lives in a town where the public school super is a "born-again", Promise Keepers enthusiast, who hands out bibles to kids and is a known repuke - and tries to hire staff like himself.

That being said, we did inoculate our kids for this type of thing. They can spot a right-wing teacher and handle most propaganda they encounter, so there'd be no harm done if they were to encounter it. But in the formative years, if I had my druthers, I'd prefer to have schools pulling in the same direction we are. Hence the preference for staying away from things like partisan political propaganda (and religion, and...). If I need to be concerned about who teaches it, I'd probably rather do it myself.

[Rockstone]

18. It's a prime opportunity for a lesson in bullshit detection

What a wonderfully thoughtful solution to a bind that they were in. I find the solution fitting of Scholastic's high standards.

[Hissyspit]

19. NOW they tell me! Thank goodness they told me that.

I thought I had previously figured it out on my own.

[tuvor]

20. A "new guide," so different from the first? I'll believe it when I see it.

C'mon, these guys were about to distribute something they say they subsequently decided "didn't meet their high standards."

I smell bullshit, and I'm not yet convinced there's no more where that came from.

[Patsy Stone]

21. An incredible teaching moment.

"This is an obvious example of how your government lied to you. What does that mean to you?"

Good job to all who voiced their disapproval and got results! :toast:

p.s. If you ask me, I think that Scholastic doesn't want to mess with their reputation and Harry Potter sales.

[seabeyond]

23. i am thrilled with this. this is what superintendent and i concluded

that it isnt a matter of not having these in class to learn, controversial subjects. they are a must. but it must be done in truth and discussion and open minded thinking. they hadnt heard of this and while she was talking ot me she called up scholastic website and said it was down. i told her it had been since last night. 24 hours of emailing from a lot of parents. and now she will go back in and see this. wonderful stuff. we did so good for all our children. such an important thing. and yea to scholastic

[Crunchy Frog]

25. NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Please see this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2816076&mesg_id=2816100

[Patsy Stone]

26. Scholastic is not forcing anyone to watch anything

It is up to the teachers and the schools and the parents. Remember, the parents can always refuse to allow them to watch it.

This is a good move by Scholastic, regardless of the motivation. It *can* be used to do some good *if* it widens the discussion about media manipulation.

[Miss Chybil]

28. I'm all for teaching critical thinking and deciphering the news.

Good for Scholastic.