Paid Interests in Education

According to the linked article in the Washington Post, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) turned down 50,000 free DVDs from the team behind the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" stating that they were concerned that "other special interests" would want to distribute items and materials as well.

Upon further investigation, the team behind the documentary uncovered that the NSTA was actually accepting financial support from a host of corporations with special interests - one of the main supporters being Exxon Mobile Corp. The article goes on to rail against the injustice being done to education by corporate interests.

Yes, the fact that freedom of speech and truthful information is being willfully camouflaged is a cause for serious concern. (And while we're at it, can we attack this Christopher Columbus as a hero myth, and start black history BEFORE the transatlantic slave trade?)

And yes, teachers should not turn down free materials that could impact the lives and choices of the students who would view these ideas at just the right age to make life altering changes.

However, let's keep some perspective here.

The people behind the documentary gave 50,000 free DVDs. Exxon Mobil has pledged 6 million thus far, and continues to do so. Teachers need resources, not just token shows of support. And for years before the documentary was produced, Exxon Mobil was there, filling a need for resources, and showing kids new ways to experience science - a tainted version, but science nonetheless.

The villian here is not Exxon Mobil, but a government system that allows our schools to be so strapped for cash that they are willing to present a coporate biased view of the world to ensure that the programs they want to promote will be able to continue year to year.