You carefully monitor the types of television your children watch. You restrict the movies they attend and you are vigilant about the types of reading material they bring into the home. So have you covered all of the bases? If you haven’t read your children’s text books you may be in for a surprise.
It is possible; no it is probable, that some of the textbooks your children are using contain topics and references that you will find inappropriate. Even if you live in an area with a strong conservative or religious base the textbook choices available to your public school district many times contain questionable material.
1. So what can you do?
The most important thing you can do is to become informed by reading your children’s textbooks and other assigned material. If you find material that you consider to be objectionable talk to other like minded parents and then contact your school district. Every district has a curriculum committee. Even if they do not agree with your position they work for you and they must consider your concerns.
Many districts provide an opportunity for parents to participate on textbook review committees. It is much more effective to influence the choice of a textbook prior to the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars rather that after the fact.
2. Review the education laws in your state.
Below is a link that might aid you in your search.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/state_statutes2.html#education
3. Monitor the activities of the State and National Education Associations
Find out what theses folks are thinking and doing. Many professional educators feel that it is their duty to educate children according to the philosophies of the time. In fact the National Education Association (NEA) the largest and most powerful teachers union in the country is committed to the development of curricula that includes favorable references to teenage sexuality, homosexuality, abortion, etc.
As a parent you have the right and the responsibility to influence the educational material that is presented to your child. The cultural pressures within public education are strongly skewed to support liberal ideologies some of which you may object strongly to. In spite of these influences you can be heard and you can cause change. School will be starting soon–your children need you to be engaged.