As reported earlier, Minnesota's swell new social studies standards are out for public comment [see http://www.edexcellence.net/gadfly/issue.cfm?issue=114#1433]. Now you can read some of these comments and, alas, many are both harsh and moronic. ("Roe v. Wade will be gone if these standards are passed.") Others are nasty and ad hominem. ("The Commissioner should be removed from office.") A few are constructive. But the vast majority break down into three old and tiresome complaints. We can't do this; it's too hard. We can't do this; there's not enough money. And we can't do this; it's too eurocentric/intolerant/undiverse/jingoistic. The issues change; the whining continues.
Minnesota academic standards, history and social studies (with public comments),
"Proposed school history standards draw criticism," by Norman Draper, Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 30, 2003,