A textbook case of stupidity (Proposed 200-page-limit on student reading matter)

The Orange County Register ^ | June 9, 2005 | hugh Glenn

[Taft in '52]

A textbook case of stupidity:
Assembly's call for 200-page-limit on student reading matter is beyond folly

By HUGH GLENN
The Anaheim resident is an education consultant and online editor who lives in Anaheim.

Efforts to dumb down California public schools continue unabated. The most recent action is the Assembly passing AB 756, a bill by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg that would prevent school districts from using any instructional material that exceeds 200 pages. Assemblyman Keith Richman calls it "ridiculous" and "the epitome of micromanagement." Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, surprisingly, has remained silent. Astoundingly, 42 legislators (including Orange County's Tom Umberg) approved AB 756 - a vote so dumb that Gov. Schwarzenegger now looks like Socrates and Solomon rolled into one.

[The Louiswu]

Well out goes the Websters New World College Dictionary (among other good books!)

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

I've noticed that the textbooks have gotten bigger, but contain less material since I was in public school.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

[RightWhale]

This is going to make English Lit kind of shallow.

[Steve_Seattle]

200 page limit

Well, that should eliminate most great works of American and English literature, but I think the Communist Manifesto would still qualify.

[gcruse]

In furtherance of taking smaller educational bites, I'd like to suggest these classes for assuring California's future leaders will be just like today's.

1. Algebra - no more than one variable.
2. Geometry -  squares.
3. History - the last five years.
4. Geography - no political boundary smaller than a continent.
5. Music - no sharps, flats, or minor keys.
6. English - past tense.
7. Home economics - thawing.
8. Auto mechanics - power only; no intake, compression, or exhaust.
9. Foreign language - nouns.
10. Biology - Intelligent Design.
11. Physics - see biology.

[RightWhale]

Why do school textbooks have large margins when the pupil is not allowed to write in the margins?

[Random Nonsense]

What the bloody hell .. hahahah

ok.. here's for your reference: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45/bio.htm

[Lx]

I wonder how many pages, Heather has Two Moms is?

[andyk]

prevent school districts from using any instructional material that exceeds 200 pages

The only saving grace: US Constitution in, EU Constitution out!

[Knute]

No more "War and Peace" or "Crime and Punishment" for the advanced English classes... What a sad comment on the current status of much of what is passing for education in our country!

[Sonny M]

, but I think the Communist Manifesto would still qualify.

It does, its slightly less then a 100 pages.

[ab01]

Not surprising--goldberg is a liberal,lesbian, democrat--but I repeat myself

[nosofar]

Not to mention there may be no words with more than two syllables. /s

[ex 98C MI Dude]

This is a joke, right? I mean, this is right out of Rush Limbaugh's "What a Load Foundation" skits. No d*mn fool politician can be this stupid.

Oh, wait, it is in California. Normal rules of disbelief are suspended, and any level of stupidity is possible. Ye gads.

[Redcloak]

Well, I suppose that there are ways around such a restriction. I would take a bit of clever typesetting and a few microscopes, but it could be done.

Say... That reminds me of something, although it's a bit off-topic. Did I ever mention the time that I wrote an entire process document on a Post-it note? Really, I did! Our configuration control manager asked me to write a document for a ridiculously simple process. I joked that I could write it out, in the proper format, on a Post-it note. She laughed, but said that it wouldn't be that small a document. About an hour later, I showed up in her office with the Post-it.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"Why do school textbooks have large margins when the pupil is not allowed to write in the margins?"

Good question.

[GSlob]

Was it in "Fahrenheit 451" where they wouldn't know how to read anyway? I'd say that giving them any reading materials, no matter how brief, is outright dangerous. We do not need smart or literate students, for what we need are loyal and obedient ones...

[Redcloak]

No d*mn fool politician can be this stupid.

You don't know Jack(ie).

[bill1952]

Well, why stop there?
Why not 100. Or 50?

Come on, we aren't dunb enough yet.