Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Education

Was The Boston Tea Party Terrorism? Texas Schools Are Teaching Just That (And More)

Nov. 20, 2012 5:06pm Mike Opelka

(UPDATED: Additional information has been added to this story.)

In less than a month (December 16th), we will mark the 239th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This well-known protest against “taxation without representation” is almost universally recognized as the moment that sparked the American Revolution.

In many Texas public schools, the Boston Tea Party is now being taught as an example of an act of terrorism.

Here’s an excerpt from a Texas school system’s World History / Social Studies lesson plan. It purports to be helping teachers become more efficient, but many people are upset with the content of the lesson and the lack of parental review. In this specific instance, teachers are instructed to read the story to their classes as if it were a news report that had just happened within the past hour:

News report: New Act of Terrorism

A local militia, believed to be a terrorist organization, attacked the property of private citizens today at our nation’s busiest port. Although no one was injured in the attack, a large quantity of merchandise, considered to be valuable to its owners and loathsome to the perpetrators, was destroyed. The terrorists, dressed in disguise and apparently intoxicated, were able to escape into the night with the help of local citizens who harbor these fugitives and conceal their identities from the authorities. It is believed that the terrorist attack was a response to the policies enacted by the occupying country’s government. Even stronger policies are anticipated by the local citizens.

Later in the curriculum, teachers are instructed to reveal to students that the event described above the historic Boston Tea Party. Here’s a screen capture from the actual lesson and what should be done after the story is read:

Texas Schools Teaching The Boston Tea Party Was Terrorism

Image: Screen capture CSCOPE’s website

For the record, this lesson comes from a non-profit group called CSCOPE. They are an offshoot of an educational program that traces its roots back to 1965 when the state established media centers / Education Service Centers (ESCs) throughout each of the state’s 20 school districts:

In 1965, the 59th Texas Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to establish media centers throughout the state. Two years later, the State Board of Education divided the state into 20 regions, assigning each media center to begin operations and serve in each region. In 1966-67, Title III of the U.S. Elementary and Secondary Education Act provided funding for start-up costs associated with establishing supplementary educational centers.

These “media centers” are reported to have received $25 million in funding last year.

Just a few years ago, 19 of the 20 centers formed a non-profit entity call the Texas Education Service Center Curriculum Collaborative (TESCCC). And TESCCC owns the Cscope Curriculum Management System. CSCOPE defines itself on their website:

CSCOPE is the source for an all-in-one approach to a quality curriculum system. CSCOPE is a comprehensive, customizable, user-friendly curriculum management system built on the most current research-based practices in the field.

TheBlaze has reached out to CSCOPE in hopes of clarifying a few of the issues being raised by parents. As of this writing, no calls have been returned.

One of the major issues we expect to discuss with CSCOPE’s directors is the complaint raised by several parents about the lack of transparency at the schools. Several parents from different locations in Texas have independently confirmed that parents are not permitted to access the lessons being taught in the classrooms. There is a “Parent’s Portal” available online, but the content differs greatly from the lesson plans we have seen.

For example, the lesson on terrorism shown above is part of the curriculum that correlates to this section in the Parents Portal:

Image: CSCOPE web site

Several parents and teachers have written to TheBlaze stating that they were denied access to the lessons being taught using CSCOPE materials. This apparent denial is apparently in direct conflict with Texas law.

From Texas State Constitution:

Sec. 26.006. ACCESS TO TEACHING MATERIALS. (a) A parent is entitled to:

(1) review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent’s child;

If schools using CSCOPE are not allowing parents to review education materials, it would appear they are violating one of the state’s constitutionally protected rights. Our initial investigation into CSCOPE has also uncovered some other questionable lesson plans. In order to properly vet these stories, TheBlaze is investigating further and will report back on Monday after Thanksgiving weekend.

If you have any information to contribute to our investigation, please email links and documents to: mopelka@theblaze.com

Update:

Since our original posting of this story, TheBlaze has received a flood of emails from educators and parents in Texas providing more information that will be included in our follow-up story next week. One teacher claimed that our report about the “Boston Tea Party being taught as terrorism” was incorrect and that the lesson is currently not on the CSCOPE website.

We do know that the lesson in question was on the site as recently as January of 2012 and apparently had been part of the curriculum since August of 2010 (see the screen capture from the now “scrubbed” web page below). Since officials from CSCOPE have not returned our calls, we cannot confirm the date when the curriculum and the website was changed.

Image: CSCOPE screen capture

Featured image via Shutterstock.com

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (205)

Ducky 1
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:01pm
My concern is that if this is something we have managed to uncover then what about all the other garbage they are indoctrinating to our students in public school. Home school!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Collatine
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:57pm
In fact, according to federal law, the Boston Tea Party constitutes a classic case of terrorism. Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives” (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85). The “patriots” destroyed a product everyone used and loved – although were offended at it being a government contract- to the tune of hundreds of millions of modern dollars. It was shocking at the time, and meant to coerce the government. In short: terrorism.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
mpoconnor7
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:43pm
If the book authors had agreed with the colonists, they would be “Freedom Fighters”.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SilentReader
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:30pm
The same disgusting Leftists who are indoctrinating our kids in the schools and calling the Boston Tea Party terrorism have also demonized Christianity and taken all the joy out of it for everyone, and, elevated the Islamist terrorist Supremacists to controlling all our lives by turning America into an armed camp and imposing their contemptible brutal Sharia on us through the OIC by shutting us up while they are killing us.

The Thief-in-Chief et al and their fawning MSM are the shame of America and I’m sure that our Founders are turning over in their graves to see what has become of America and freedom.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GunsandReligionClinger
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 9:01pm
If you ask anyone who knows me, I am about as conservative as you can get. This fact is probably why I teach high school mathematics (very black and white) as opposed to other areas. However, I do have to take issue with this article. I am a Texas teacher and I do use CSCOPE. As a result, I have access to the entire curriculum; therefore, I did a little research of my own. I have seen two versions of this alleged “Terrorism” lesson. The first one indicated it could be found in Unit 12. In fact, there are only 9 units and the only mention I have seen of Terrorism is in Unit 8 Global Issues Post World War II to the Present which includes a lesson on ISLAMIC Terrorism.Now, to address this version which suggests the “Terrorism” lesson can be found in Unit 3. After my research, I found Unit 3 to cover Classical Civilizations. This includes areas such as Rome, Greece, Ancient China, etc. but still nothing referring to the Boston Tea Party as an act of Terrorism. There are only a couple of things I can conclude from my research. Either this was a proposed lesson that was eventually axed a couple years ago when the State of Texas adopted a new revision of the Social Studies TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), or someone hijacked a PDF from the curriculum and created their own version because they are stupid and bored and the end of the election has left them with drama withdrawals. Our country is facing enough drama without anyone adding to it NEEDLESSLY!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ICUDOUCME
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 11:17pm
  I would like to know if you are in the one area in Texas that does not have this available to you because your area is the one not teaching it? Just a question that I thought might help clear some of this up. Thank you.
  
  Report this comment
CFarmerLady
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:51pm
Reason 1,000,001 to homeschool.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
JohnofTexas
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:30pm
I am a conservative Texas teacher and I heard Glen’s broadcast of this today and I can tell you that this thing was shoved down our throats by our district superintendent. It is a time and money waster of the first magnitude not to mention a major indoctrination tool in the lower grades. The public has no idea and more must be done to expose this horror! Please keep up the good fight Glenn.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- GunsandReligionClinger
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:04pm
  As a fellow Texas educator, I am a little disappointed that you took the time to post a response here before you took the time to review the curriculum yourself. I don’t even teach history and it took me all of about five minutes to prove the information in this article false. Please don’t let your annoyance with your current administration cloud your logic and reasoning abilities. Our students depend on us for that. I know you are well aware of that; otherwise, you would not have been on here in the first place, right? :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
  
  Report this comment
angeleyes63
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:28pm
Such a glowing endorsement of our public school system. Remember poison the minds of the young and they will do the bidding of those bent on changing/destroying America.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
confederacyofdunces
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:02pm
They label the participants ion thee example story as terrorists three times and then ask if this was terrorism. What do you think the answer will be. it reminds me of the predetermined outcome of many trials if jurists strictly follow the laws and instructions.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Advection
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 7:59pm
Local schools don’t issue books anymore, and I didn’t know why until today. They say its about cost, which made no sense to me, but the truth is that they don’t want parents to see what their children are being taught. It is false propaganda designed to brainwash children with Progressive lies.

“The revolution will not be televised.”

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GadsdenGurl
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 7:57pm
And no credit to the original writers of the story… shameful!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GadsdenGurl
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 7:56pm
This story is ancient. The NH Tea Party had it a long time ago.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ClaudeRains
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 7:30pm
Hey Glenn what’s up with that? I thought Texas was oh so above all this liberal crap.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Ted Zeppelin
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:56pm
.
Texas has so many good things going for it. Why do they put up with the socialist indoctrination of the union teachers?
Teaching is America’s best paying part time occupation with no accountability. Teachers’ unions provide sanctuary for the lazy and incompetent and make sure those few good teachers fall into line to become bad teachers..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:45pm
I am shocked!! Texas?? My husband is always talking about how much he loved TX when he was there.. how he’d like to move back.. and Glenn himself is always touting TX.. Please this is so far left its sickening. Come on TX, stop this insanity.. the country is always looking to how TX does things.. and then they let their schools teach this kind of malarky. So tell us Texas, was the Alamo a bunch of terrorist performing terrorism??

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TheEndIsComing
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:41pm
The progressives are not going to quit and this kind of behavior is only going to get worse. Why do we sit back and allow this? Are we so stupid to think it will go away? When are conservatives going to take action and weed the garden? The longer we wait, the bigger the weeds get and the bigger and more entrenched the roots get. Don’t our kids deserve better? Why do we allow our children to get this kind of brainwashing? It’s time for action.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- AmericaMustBeFree
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:47pm
  Just another reason to teach our kids at home! They’re going to be a losy generation unless we can stop this left wing crap taught in our schools! If you care about your kids, have them bring their books home from school and go through them thoroughly.. and then teach them the truth! How many people will be responsible enough to do that.. and that my friends is the problem!
  
  Report this comment
FreedomGraf-fiti
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:40pm
Terrorism was a product of the French revolution, 16 years after the Boston Tea Party.

How could you compare throwing tea into a harbor, protesting the mother country / oppressor to killing innocent people in the name of God.

To progressives America is ALWAYS the villain.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RIGS
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:39pm
It such a shame what that the left panty wearing little mice have to say. I SAY GREAT GOING GUYS and we need another one.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TERossi
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:37pm
Don’t worry! The Ronulan Idiots will be here with their tinfoil hats to give us all a lesson on “freedom of speech”.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Patriot Z
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:37pm
was it terrorism?..yes. private citizens took it upon themselves to fight against the established govt for whatever reason. we call it patriotism, because we agree with the actions, and we won the war. however at the time it WAS treasonous and it was an act of ‘terrorism’ if you use the logical definition of the word. I think the sooner we understand that simple concept the sooner the new patriots will get their butts in gear and realize that we cannot vote out a dictator, nor ‘ask permission’ to secceed or rebel. as we stand now any group who would do anything to rebel would be promptly ridiculed, disavowed, and thrown under the bus, not by our enemy the statists, but by conservatives. dont believe me, look how fast herman cain got tossed by the ‘so called’ patriots and conservatives when some broad claimed he made ‘naughty ‘ comments to her 10 million yrs ago. we will never win and we will never take back our country until we understand that ‘TAKE’ means TAKE!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
gbrittain
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:25pm
WHY ARE THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IN A STATE WITH A REP GOVERNOR AND A REP LEGISLATURE TEACHING LEFTIST ANTI AMERICAN PROPAGANDA?

As start in the our counter offensive in the culture war, the government schools in states with Rep governors and Rep legislatures should be teaching and promoting America and American values.

Employees of government run, taxpayer paid, schools, forget who works for whom.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Larry E
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:18pm
Yes and the Founding Fathers were terrorists too for rebelling against His Majesty King George III as well. And if they hadn’t we’d now be kissing the feet of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Whoever the fools are who write these books need to be sent to England or Canada or someplace that would truly appreciate them.

The more things are “revised” the happier I am that I went to school a long time ago when teachers were patriotic and so were the history books.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Collatine
  Posted on November 20, 2012 at 10:09pm
  In fact, American “loyalist” leaders such as Governor Hutchinson was convinced the colonies would peaceably be liberated from England within a generation, along with the abolition of slavery and peaceful coexistence with Indians. Hutchinson resisted the idea of rebelling against a sovereign whom he believed God had appointed over them and abhorred violence. For this, the terrorists – er – patriots exhumed his wife’s grave and scattered her bones across the cemetery and burned his house. They made their point, and troops arrived in Boston. It’s more complicated than that obviously, but consider how Canada and Australia both achieved Independence without war.
  
  Report this comment
South Philly Boy
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:09pm
Damn COMMUNIST

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
donmyrick
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:05pm
Many traitors in our schools are under-mining American values, teaching hatred for private enterprise, hatred for Israel (and Jews), eradicating the positive moral influences of Christianity, and seem admiring of Islamism, Socialism, and Communism. We can say the same for the news media. Americans need an organization to fight against this destruction of our heritage.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Marnin
Posted on November 20, 2012 at 6:01pm
In one context it can certainly be seen as a terrorist act, however if they then try to extrapolate and compare it to terrorist acts that are going on currently, then it is completely out of context.

There is a big difference in fighting for freedom than there is trying to wipe a way of life out of existence.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.