If you are actually a 14 year old kid, I would suggest you do your own research and then start a discussion about what you've concluded with your teacher.
Text books are only a tool, and only as good as the person teaching them.
What do you want me to do, go and tell my obviously liberal teacher that they're teaching us bad information? I'd look stupid; and I'd seem like I was overreacting.
Dear Pkid:
I agree with your taking caution here, and thinking carefully before bringing up anything political with your school. All the cases I have read about in the news of controversies coming out of the classroom all spelled out huge hassles for the students, and I would not want this to interfere with your educational relationships.
Here are some ideas I would ask you to explore BEFORE you say anything:
1. Can you work WITH your teacher to set up a political debate or discussion club at your school, where you are CAREFUL to invite diverse students on all sides of issues, such as including Muslim or pro-liberal students to have equal roles in setting it up so it is "safe."
If the students have a council or club that addresses issues, then in the future, things like this could be brought to the attention of a "peer review" group (supervised by teacher sponsors) so it is not on "one student" targeted as the whistleblower, but the students can hear each other's grievances and defend the right to make complaints or suggestions without fear of reprisal.
2. Can you send a copy of the text and publisher information ANONYMOUSLY to a media watch group or educational lobby group, and let THEM handle it, and totally stay out of it. If this will not be traced to you, could you ask a group that specializes in addressing textbook issues or lobbying the State to take on this issue for you? If this could still be traced back to you, including through this website, then I would not recommend this approach until you are out of that class or out of that school district. I just wouldn't take that chance.
As long as you take an open, all-inclusive approach, I prefer #1 and would encourage you as a politically aware and advanced student to try setting up a peer review council to handle issues that may come up between students or teachers regarding classroom materials.
I would prefer students form their OWN peer groups, with assistance from teachers and parents, to manage input and participation in how to teach religious history, even evolution or creation and prayer or sex ed, or other sensitive subjects that otherwise run into biases of one kind or another.
Why wait for bigger conflicts or lawsuits to escalate?
Why not be honest and form dialogue groups to address the differences we do have and run into EVERY DAY?
I'd rather students take charge and learn how to address conflicts democratically.
If you think your liberal teacher would be cool with this idea, I encourage you to go for it!
Whatever ideas you have to follow up on this, whether writing to a local legislator who may be sympathetic about textbook biases,
or forming your own student club around issues that interest you, feel free to post and get feedback
on how to develop your ideas.
Thank you for posting, and please continue directing your talents and interests in the most productive ways you can.
Yours truly,
Emily
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