IN THE PIPELINE:

“It’s important that you guys are taking geography because back in the early ’60s or late ’50s even, this country took geography out of the curriculum to purposely make people ignorant. Americans are ignorant about the rest of the world, and what do you get with ignorance? People like George Bush being elected.”

The class laughs but is quickly admonished by the teacher: “No, it’s not a joke. It’s true.”

When one of our kids brought this story home last year, quoting a substitute teacher at one of our local high schools, I was taken aback, to say the least.

It’s one thing to fear some of the political indoctrinations (from both sides) going on in schools across the country. It’s another thing to hear about it firsthand.

For the record, this had nothing to do with who or what I (or any family member) believe in politically. This was about a certain breed of teacher who feels it’s his or her job to package, promote and propagate their political views and agendas to bend the impressionable minds of teenagers. Period.

We’re not talking about college here (where I’m guessing the habits are even more insidious). This is high school, and even middle school. And it’s not just wrong — it’s against the rules.

I spoke to the school immediately about this incident, and several others that were brought home. As for the teacher, I was told she had agreed to take the rulebook and read it over just so she’d be more clear when she returned the next day to sub. How big of her, I thought.

I pressed the assistant principal on why more severe actions were not taken. After all, is it not a small leap to think that this was an ongoing mission the teacher was on? Surely this was not a one off — it was simply the first time a parent had called to complain. When asked what I felt should happen to her, for me it was simple — fired with no chance for future employment.

In my view, teaching is too important a task to leave in the hands of advocates who make things up out of thin air to promote a cause. Look at her words again: “This country took geography out of the curriculum to purposely make people ignorant.” How many kids in class took that as fact?

“Americans are ignorant about the rest of the world, and what do you get with ignorance? People like George Bush being elected.” Now, you may agree with that. Fine. No problem. But do you want a teacher telling your kids that?

With the election coming up, I want to believe that everyone would agree that it might be a good idea to remind our kids exactly what the rules state about politics in the classroom.

Deborah M. Coleman, assistant superintendent, human resources for the Huntington Beach Union High School District, offered this in response to several questions I had about the issue.

“Teachers are expected to follow the adopted state standards and district curriculum guidelines. Social studies teachers (who have the political process as part of their adopted standards and curriculum) are expected to present information in a ‘balanced’ way. If a student or parent has a concern, they should bring their concerns to the principal of the school.”

And here are excerpts from the Huntington Beach Union High School District Board Policies and Administrative Regulations:

 It is expected that district employees, while engaged in providing services to the district during working hours, on district premises or in public areas, shall not engage in political activities.

District employees are expressly precluded from conducting political activities on district property during working hours and from soliciting campaign support or contributions on district property during working hours, including but not limited to displaying political signs or buttons, or distributing materials.

[It is understood that employees may wear and distribute such materials when off duty (e.g., during lunch period) in areas not open to the public (e.g., teachers’ lounge). In addition, it is recognized that employees may display political emblems or messages on bumpers or windows of their automobiles, which are parked in the district parking lot.]

 No employee shall use school equipment for the preparation or reproduction of campaign materials.

 No employee shall disseminate campaign materials through the district mail service nor place them in staff mailboxes; provided, however, that nothing is meant by this Administrative Regulation to interfere with the contractual rights of a recognized employee organization.

 No employee shall use or permit the use of students to write, address or distribute campaign materials, nor use district records such as student or parent directory information for campaign purposes.

This is culled from the Huntington Beach City School District rules:

District employees should not:

 Present viewpoints on particular candidates or ballot measures in the classroom without giving equal time to the presentation of opposing views.

 Use district time to urge the passage or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate.

Maybe it’s a good time to let your kids know what to be aware of. They deserve a fair shot to believe what they want, to development their own views and at least have facts presented as opposed to propaganda that in some cases is so ignorant as to be laughable (if it wasn’t so frightening). Let them know it’s OK to speak out if something seems awry. Let them know teachers are instructed to teach. Not preach.

Note: In honor of Veterans Day this year, I am planning on writing a column or two recounting stories of men and women from Huntington Beach who served their country. If you’d care to share your experience(s), please drop me a line in the next week or two.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 14 books, including the new “Huntington Beach Then & Now.” You can write him at [email protected].