On June 20, educational consultant Jordan Adams delivered a much-anticipated presentation to the Pennridge School Board, revealing his recommended changes to the Eastern Pennsylvania school district's social studies curriculum. Adams, the founder of Vermilion Education, appeared via Zoom. The curriculum experts who work for the district recommended that first grade social studies focus on "Rules and Responsibilities," "Geography," and "Important People and Places." Adams instead proposed that 6- and 7-year-olds learn "American History: 1492-1787" and "World History: Ancient Near East."
For anyone involved in or contemplating a run for school board to fight right-wing extremism, here's a website providing resources, connections to those who have won such races, etc.: Democracy and Education at https://www.assistdemocracy.org/resources-1
I'm so glad you reported on this! This is one of our local school districts. This particular meeting where this right-wing hack presented his "state-of-the-art" curriculum, which does not meet state requirements, lasted until 1:00 a.m. Curriculum developers and supervisors, students, parents, and teachers were outraged, but the right-wing school board didn't see a problem with it and decided to move ahead with this. Their argument was that this was a cost issue, and it was hypocritical since no one ever complained about other consultants and their fees. Pennridge used to be a good school district, but that won't be the case for long. Not sure what will happen since their curriculum does not meet state requirements. But I'm grateful for the publicity.
Seems like a parent in the district would have standing to sue the board for malfeasance given the shady contract and the poor preparation of the contractor. Put this in the frame of ordinary contract law and a duty to perform work that is billed. Sounds like that could prevail.
It's the dishonesty that never ceases to shock me. They just flat out lie and hide both who they are and what they intend, and it never seems to result in consequences.
A moral flexibility that would be in direct conflict with their faith if, in fact, they were actual Christians, not Christo-fascist white nationalists.
Considering the rulings from the Supreme Court last week on affirmative action being removed, the hypothetical 302 bill allowing a web designer ( who doesn't have a website) to discriminate against imaginary gay couple and other rulings including Roe was brought forth by Christian zealots with Senator Josh Hawley ' s wife as the lawyer. How legal is this and just proves that members of the Supreme Court are corrupt. I think the DOJ needs to get involved before more right-wing groups take over more of the school boards. I'm so sick of this and it just seems that the people of these states don't really care ! I hope that I am wrong !!!
I believe that when they arrive at the Pearly Gates expecting to be welcomed with open arms, that St. Peter will pull the lever that opens the hole in the clouds and sends them straight to Hell because of the way they treated the least of God's children, the immigrant, the sick and the homeless.
Exquisite investigative journalism. The "No Child Left Behind" mandates during Bush II: many of us then in [public] education viewed that drive as intended to "do in" public schools and hence privatize education. Once privatized, the curriculum takeover you have investigated slides right in. TY for your work.
"Recruited by the DeSantis administration." I don't want to say necessarily that this tells you all you need to know about Vermilion Education, but it does not speak to their credentials either.
Pg. 241: The future of Communism in Russia, whatever the future may be, is in the hands of the children. Lenin once said, “Give me four years with the children, and I do not care what happens.”
I saw that book was referenced as the first source of that quote, but note it is coming from a travel book by a third party, and not from any of Lenin's writings, or a contemporaneously reported speech. One wonders just how this fellow managed to hear this statement. It's not even clear if Mr Greewall was in Russia when Lenin was alive, as the book was published in 1929. Mr Greenwall admits, on page 20 of the archive.org edition, that he speaks not a word of Russian. This further casts doubt on the veracity of this quote.
The only interesting thing about the quote is that people who like to use are usually ‘aiming’ at someone else while in reality saying something about themselves. Steve Bannon long ago straight up identified himself as a Leninist. Interesting connection to the people who are behind this big push.
Let's ask Evan Gershkovich of the WSJ (held in a Russian prison) (that's a snarky joke) or his parents--they're all from my hometown, Princeton NJ, and all speak and read Russian.
Sorry, I am missing your point. Is this a reply to my wondering if the author of that book with the quote is actually someone who has first-hand knowledge of what was said?
I am giving anyone seriously interested a probably source who would know the answer to this question: the Gershkovich's live in Princeton, and although they must be heart-sick over their son's plight, they might answer anyone reaching out to them respectfully. They are highly educated people, and are likely to know a great deal about Lenin.
EVERY ACCUSATION BY THE CONSERVATIVES IS AN ACCUSATION.
They are promoting indoctrination not education. Liberals need to stop telling people what the conservatives are doing and start asking questions like define indoctrination. Define woke. Define the ideas they are proposing. We have to start selling what progress is and how this is not progress.
The malignant lemmings wish to indoctrinate while accusing others of their actions. They cannot be allowed to (once again) be successful in seizing the narrative.
If anyone ever doubted a hidden agenda item on the far right platform is to eliminate public education, here is proof. First they wanted vouchers, now that they have vouchers, clearly that isn’t enough because they’re going after public education curriculums. Obviously, they didn’t really just want their tax dollars put into the education of their choice. They want to get rid of public education as we have known it and turn it into the very same control of thoughts and information they’ve been complaining about for years in liberal colleges and schools. In other words, they want to ban critical thinking skills.
Just like women's rights. After Dobbs they're coming after contraception.
The religion shouldn't be about indoctrination which is actually for control. Like education the religion, I prefer to call spirituality, should be just to lead and put inquirer, only if interested, on the path of search for self and higher power/spirit/God.
As always this is another frightening example of religious zealots. We must never forget (until the zealots delete it from our history) that they fled England to find a place to practice their restrictive religion. Apparently that DNA is still alive these almost 250 years later.
In my historical readings, I learned that many came to America for the adventure and to see if they could build a life here--independent of any religious sentiment. Those were probably those with the funds to travel and adventure.
The Bucks County School District has been quietly removing books from student access ('it's not a ban!' they claim), shutting down safe spaces for LGBTQ students, as well as other formal and informal programs that support an inclusive student population. This curriculum 'advisory' scheme is just another step in the goal of re-establishing the Orthodox worldview of white Christian nationalists. Since their worldview has been deemed odious by a majority of people testing negative for brainworns, they can only push through their agenda by working quietly at the local level. Thank you for your reporting on this topic Judd. These groups are prepared to work for the next several decades if they need to, similar to their work against reproductive freedom. We all need to be active locally and push back against these groups
I had no idea that Bucks County had this going on....considering the gay and freedom loving population in New Hope. Sounds like the "School District" is a backlash against the artistic and multi-sexual community that gives the Bucks area its panache. [I spent years doing intern work in Doylestown (Movement Dance and Drama Therapy) and loved the whole area.]
Modern day republicans are idiots, and they clearly want to create another generation of idiots to vote for them, since they have no policies besides hate and fear.
I have three degrees and was an educator in NY for a few years before becoming a mom. I could have used my time to join organizations dedicated to dismantling education. Damnit, I could have been rich 😩. I’m doing life wrong. Seriously, these people cannot be allowed to dictate what anyone is learning.
I am reading G-Man about the life and times of J. Edgar Hoover.
This Country seems to have a penchant for swinging into these right wing extremisms. Hoover greatly favored the right wing agenda and was at one time considered a moral leader (what a laugh). Sane people need to keep speaking out.
Thank you Judd for all the great investigation and reporting! We need to be informed!
For anyone involved in or contemplating a run for school board to fight right-wing extremism, here's a website providing resources, connections to those who have won such races, etc.: Democracy and Education at https://www.assistdemocracy.org/resources-1
Thank you
I'm so glad you reported on this! This is one of our local school districts. This particular meeting where this right-wing hack presented his "state-of-the-art" curriculum, which does not meet state requirements, lasted until 1:00 a.m. Curriculum developers and supervisors, students, parents, and teachers were outraged, but the right-wing school board didn't see a problem with it and decided to move ahead with this. Their argument was that this was a cost issue, and it was hypocritical since no one ever complained about other consultants and their fees. Pennridge used to be a good school district, but that won't be the case for long. Not sure what will happen since their curriculum does not meet state requirements. But I'm grateful for the publicity.
If the curriculum doesn’t meet state requirements, then file a lawsuit against the school system.
Seems like a parent in the district would have standing to sue the board for malfeasance given the shady contract and the poor preparation of the contractor. Put this in the frame of ordinary contract law and a duty to perform work that is billed. Sounds like that could prevail.
It's the dishonesty that never ceases to shock me. They just flat out lie and hide both who they are and what they intend, and it never seems to result in consequences.
Precisely. Their dishonesty reflects a "moral flexibility" that is anathema to me.
A moral flexibility that would be in direct conflict with their faith if, in fact, they were actual Christians, not Christo-fascist white nationalists.
Considering the rulings from the Supreme Court last week on affirmative action being removed, the hypothetical 302 bill allowing a web designer ( who doesn't have a website) to discriminate against imaginary gay couple and other rulings including Roe was brought forth by Christian zealots with Senator Josh Hawley ' s wife as the lawyer. How legal is this and just proves that members of the Supreme Court are corrupt. I think the DOJ needs to get involved before more right-wing groups take over more of the school boards. I'm so sick of this and it just seems that the people of these states don't really care ! I hope that I am wrong !!!
Thank you for revealing that Josh Hawley's wife was a lawyer in this case!
I saw that ruling as a sort of death knell. We'll see for whom & what comes next eh?
I mean if an imaginary business is given permission to discriminate against real people, the sky is the limit.
Am I right or am I right?
The
Message by Trump, the effective leader of the evangelical christian church on Independence Day was fuck Biden. How white and christian of him.
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-begins-july-4-attack-biden-truth-social-1810821?amp=1
They are so lost, even Jesus would be hard pressed to find them.
I believe that when they arrive at the Pearly Gates expecting to be welcomed with open arms, that St. Peter will pull the lever that opens the hole in the clouds and sends them straight to Hell because of the way they treated the least of God's children, the immigrant, the sick and the homeless.
That "moral flexibility" seems to become unconsciously embedded in the Hinsdale College curriculum.
Its a feature.
Exquisite investigative journalism. The "No Child Left Behind" mandates during Bush II: many of us then in [public] education viewed that drive as intended to "do in" public schools and hence privatize education. Once privatized, the curriculum takeover you have investigated slides right in. TY for your work.
"Recruited by the DeSantis administration." I don't want to say necessarily that this tells you all you need to know about Vermilion Education, but it does not speak to their credentials either.
"Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted." -Lenin
I can find no contemporary source for this. Do you have one? Otherwise, it may be one of the many made up quotes that proliferate the internet.
Here is one from 1929:
Mirrors of Moscow By Harry J. Greenwall
London: G.G. Harrap & Co. 1929
Pg. 241: The future of Communism in Russia, whatever the future may be, is in the hands of the children. Lenin once said, “Give me four years with the children, and I do not care what happens.”
I saw that book was referenced as the first source of that quote, but note it is coming from a travel book by a third party, and not from any of Lenin's writings, or a contemporaneously reported speech. One wonders just how this fellow managed to hear this statement. It's not even clear if Mr Greewall was in Russia when Lenin was alive, as the book was published in 1929. Mr Greenwall admits, on page 20 of the archive.org edition, that he speaks not a word of Russian. This further casts doubt on the veracity of this quote.
The only interesting thing about the quote is that people who like to use are usually ‘aiming’ at someone else while in reality saying something about themselves. Steve Bannon long ago straight up identified himself as a Leninist. Interesting connection to the people who are behind this big push.
🎯
Let's ask Evan Gershkovich of the WSJ (held in a Russian prison) (that's a snarky joke) or his parents--they're all from my hometown, Princeton NJ, and all speak and read Russian.
Sorry, I am missing your point. Is this a reply to my wondering if the author of that book with the quote is actually someone who has first-hand knowledge of what was said?
I am giving anyone seriously interested a probably source who would know the answer to this question: the Gershkovich's live in Princeton, and although they must be heart-sick over their son's plight, they might answer anyone reaching out to them respectfully. They are highly educated people, and are likely to know a great deal about Lenin.
EVERY ACCUSATION BY THE CONSERVATIVES IS AN ACCUSATION.
They are promoting indoctrination not education. Liberals need to stop telling people what the conservatives are doing and start asking questions like define indoctrination. Define woke. Define the ideas they are proposing. We have to start selling what progress is and how this is not progress.
The malignant lemmings wish to indoctrinate while accusing others of their actions. They cannot be allowed to (once again) be successful in seizing the narrative.
If anyone ever doubted a hidden agenda item on the far right platform is to eliminate public education, here is proof. First they wanted vouchers, now that they have vouchers, clearly that isn’t enough because they’re going after public education curriculums. Obviously, they didn’t really just want their tax dollars put into the education of their choice. They want to get rid of public education as we have known it and turn it into the very same control of thoughts and information they’ve been complaining about for years in liberal colleges and schools. In other words, they want to ban critical thinking skills.
Just like women's rights. After Dobbs they're coming after contraception.
The religion shouldn't be about indoctrination which is actually for control. Like education the religion, I prefer to call spirituality, should be just to lead and put inquirer, only if interested, on the path of search for self and higher power/spirit/God.
Thank you for highlighting this issue. People like Adams have no business consulting to public school boards and leeching tax dollars.
As always this is another frightening example of religious zealots. We must never forget (until the zealots delete it from our history) that they fled England to find a place to practice their restrictive religion. Apparently that DNA is still alive these almost 250 years later.
In my historical readings, I learned that many came to America for the adventure and to see if they could build a life here--independent of any religious sentiment. Those were probably those with the funds to travel and adventure.
Does Vermilion Education offer school uniforms as well? Brown shirts, for example?
LOL!
The Bucks County School District has been quietly removing books from student access ('it's not a ban!' they claim), shutting down safe spaces for LGBTQ students, as well as other formal and informal programs that support an inclusive student population. This curriculum 'advisory' scheme is just another step in the goal of re-establishing the Orthodox worldview of white Christian nationalists. Since their worldview has been deemed odious by a majority of people testing negative for brainworns, they can only push through their agenda by working quietly at the local level. Thank you for your reporting on this topic Judd. These groups are prepared to work for the next several decades if they need to, similar to their work against reproductive freedom. We all need to be active locally and push back against these groups
I had no idea that Bucks County had this going on....considering the gay and freedom loving population in New Hope. Sounds like the "School District" is a backlash against the artistic and multi-sexual community that gives the Bucks area its panache. [I spent years doing intern work in Doylestown (Movement Dance and Drama Therapy) and loved the whole area.]
Modern day republicans are idiots, and they clearly want to create another generation of idiots to vote for them, since they have no policies besides hate and fear.
I have three degrees and was an educator in NY for a few years before becoming a mom. I could have used my time to join organizations dedicated to dismantling education. Damnit, I could have been rich 😩. I’m doing life wrong. Seriously, these people cannot be allowed to dictate what anyone is learning.
I am reading G-Man about the life and times of J. Edgar Hoover.
This Country seems to have a penchant for swinging into these right wing extremisms. Hoover greatly favored the right wing agenda and was at one time considered a moral leader (what a laugh). Sane people need to keep speaking out.
Thank you Judd for all the great investigation and reporting! We need to be informed!
I just finished "The Given Day"by Dennis Lehane.
Its a work of fiction about a time in the past that was strikingly similar to our own (edit) present!