From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!wbux5!wb2!houxz!ihnp4!ihuxp!tfilm
Newsgroups: net.books
Title: BOSNYWASH Syndrome
Article-I.D.: ihuxp.377
Posted: Wed Feb 23 11:09:56 1983
Received: Thu Feb 24 05:29:00 1983
Reply-To: tfilm@ihuxp.UUCP (M. E. Lindenmeyer)

RE: Educational Content of Current 'Educational' Books

I just read Gary's entry to 'net.books' and saw something that
makes my blood boil. The derivation of the newspaper's name
'BOSWASH TIMES' is not exactly humorous to me.  It is well known
that many (not all) of the texts that most of the (public) shools
use for everything from math to social science are full of poor
grammer, poor math, etc.  In particular, I discovered that no
longer do sixth graders memorize the names of the capitol cities of
the states, but rather, they invent pseudo names of pseudo
metropoli such as 'BOSNYWASH', 'SANLODIEGO', and I suppose,
'CHIWAUKEE'.  I will leave it as an exercise for the reader to
decode the above.

Now, I think that such educational techniques are admirable and
interesting, but, it strikes me as strange that it is no longer
considered important that the students stimulate their minds
through such exercises as simple rote memory as has been used
successfully for so many many years.  Yes, I know that in most
educational systems, the old 'progressive' techniques,
memorization, etc. are no longer taught or emphasized so that the
students can learn sophisticated name calling, largely unusable
mathematics, etc.  It's in the books!

I discussed this lack of really *good* content in the many
educational texts with my sister, who works for Scott Forsman and
was told that, yes, the texts are pretty abominable, but it is
largely because three or four states' (Illinois, Indiana,
California, Texas) boards of education dictate such mediocrity.

As a parent who is vitally concerned with my children's education
(I have three), I am really disappointed with what the public
schools have to offer, and have concluded that they will not
improve for a long time. It is therefore very important that I
supplement their reading and educational background with superior
materials available through libraries, bookstores, etc.

Have others observed this? Any opinions/comments?

                MEL ihuxp!tfilm