Government schools in Frederick County, Maryland, deem the third grade the appropriate time to push a political agenda. Cindy Rose found this out when her daughter came down with the flu and read a textbook, Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, at home.
Mrs. Rose calls the book “socialistic.”
Judge for yourself. On page 104, it reads: “Child care is important, but it is not free for most people in the United States. Families have to pay for child care. It can be very expensive. In some countries, child care is a public service. For example, in Denmark and Vietnam, child care is free or costs very little. This makes it easier for parents to work. Do you think child care should be a public service in your community?”
Rose took her complaint to the school board, which suggested that the book’s slant might be balanced by other materials — but could point to no evidence it was being balanced. Those defending the textbook insist that it teaches critical thinking, but as one school board member asked, “Do you get much pushback from an 8 or 9-year old?”
Only if the book explained marginal utility and the Thomas Theorem would I put much stock in the “critical thinking” excuse.
“The entire slant of the book,” Cindy Rose argues, “is . . . the idea of government running your life.”
Thankfully, my wife homeschools our children. I can tell you that’s not one of the lessons.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.