Example of APE Astroturf tactics - textbooks

[Anonymous]

I know there was like a 500 page APE thread awhile ago asking about who they were, how were they financed and what their end goals were that devolved into nonsense.

I did want to point out a specific example of what the tactics are with their likely endgoal using an example - textbooks.

First - prominent APE member posts in other Arlington groups stating that her son learns math better on text books than electronically. So why can't we pressure Arlington to force all students onto textbooks for math (because obviously the thing that is best for her child personally should be imposed on every child in APS)?

Teachers chime in to point out that textbooks are heavy, expensive and prevent them from teaching to the class level and they can come up with better sample problems that teach the concepts than what was incorporated into the text book. That for later math so much of the work requires computer programs anyway and that its important to teach how to do the work on those programs. Also that higher ed and work is done online so textbook mandated learning handicaps kids going to the next level.

Other APE'rs pop up with comments about how "research says" textbooks are better. If they do cite research its like one study conducted by political ideologues.

But they conclude - we are just talking about math here and there is obviously something special about math instruction that lends itself to textbooks. And math isn't ideological like some other subjects can be so there is no harm!

Then in APE's latest newsletter section on textbooks - but its advocating a "return to textbooks for all subjects" No longer "just math."

Then you have your lackeys post the newsletter everywhere saying - hey this is a good overview of the current issues that are facing schools right now! Bam! Suddenly textbooks are an "important issue facing Arlington schools" not just a pet peeve of one person.

And here's where this leads -
If and when this takes off the next step will be advocating for the type of textbooks that are procured - "studies show" that this particular brand or teaching philosophy produces the best outcome. Those studies will conducted by right wing funded think tanks with neutral sounding names and those textbooks will have questionable teaching about U.S. history, economics, social studies and other issues.

And that is how you get one of the most progressive communities in the country to teach that slavery was about economic migrants and that the civil rights era solved all racism in America.

Happy MLK Day!

[Anonymous]

My guess is that the textbook publishers have become captive to the Texas market. Rather than prepare multiple editions for red states and blue states they figure it's easier to just meet the requirements of the dumbest most watered down state.

So in effect by pushing a return to "textbooks" these people are actually trying to get local curricula to follow Texas requirements.

[Anonymous]

A lot of people complain about the lack of textbooks. I don’t see why it’s better to have teachers pulling random worksheets from a “Teachers Pay Teachers” website. What’s wrong with providing teachers with a curriculum and materials that support that curriculum?

[Anonymous]

Yeah plenty of parents (myself included) who are very pro mask also support text books. How much easier would have been last year to help our kids learn if we'd had text books. How much easier in an "normal" year to know what your child is supposed to be learning, and identify gaps. (Answer: Much)

Wanting text books pre-dated APE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah plenty of parents (myself included) who are very pro mask also support text books. How much easier would have been last year to help our kids learn if we'd had text books. How much easier in an "normal" year to know what your child is supposed to be learning, and identify gaps. (Answer: Much)

Wanting text books pre-dated APE.

+1,000 to this. I am very pro-mask, very progressive, anti-pretty much everything Texas, turned off by most of the personalities and viewpoints on APE (although I was and remain in favor of open schools), and I'm desperate for the return of textbooks. One of my DCs has not learned anything since he was handed an iPad in 5th grade.

The tech-market has been so successful in its attempt to take over education that OP doesn't even understand how ridiculous she sounds.

[Anonymous]

You are a loon, OP. And quite obsessed. I would recommend therapy.

[Anonymous]

Excellent summary, OP! Another question - are APE and FPA (former Open FCPS) connected? Same funders, I assume? They definitely have the same tactics.

[Anonymous]

I’m an APS high school teacher. As far as I know, every teacher in Arlington has access to some kind of textbook that we can use however we want. I’ve borrowed it’s basic structure, but I think if I used it much more than that, the kids would be bored to death. I don’t think you’re paying me to teach from a textbook. I hope not.

Textbooks are what we had. Just cause it’s familiar, doesn’t make it better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an APS high school teacher. As far as I know, every teacher in Arlington has access to some kind of textbook that we can use however we want. I’ve borrowed it’s basic structure, but I think if I used it much more than that, the kids would be bored to death. I don’t think you’re paying me to teach from a textbook. I hope not.

Textbooks are what we had. Just cause it’s familiar, doesn’t make it better.

Its structure! ‘Cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there was like a 500 page APE thread awhile ago asking about who they were, how were they financed and what their end goals were that devolved into nonsense.

I did want to point out a specific example of what the tactics are with their likely endgoal using an example - textbooks.

First - prominent APE member posts in other Arlington groups stating that her son learns math better on text books than electronically. So why can't we pressure Arlington to force all students onto textbooks for math (because obviously the thing that is best for her child personally should be imposed on every child in APS)?

Teachers chime in to point out that textbooks are heavy, expensive and prevent them from teaching to the class level and they can come up with better sample problems that teach the concepts than what was incorporated into the text book. That for later math so much of the work requires computer programs anyway and that its important to teach how to do the work on those programs. Also that higher ed and work is done online so textbook mandated learning handicaps kids going to the next level.

Other APE'rs pop up with comments about how "research says" textbooks are better. If they do cite research its like one study conducted by political ideologues.

But they conclude - we are just talking about math here and there is obviously something special about math instruction that lends itself to textbooks. And math isn't ideological like some other subjects can be so there is no harm!

Then in APE's latest newsletter section on textbooks - but its advocating a "return to textbooks for all subjects" No longer "just math."

Then you have your lackeys post the newsletter everywhere saying - hey this is a good overview of the current issues that are facing schools right now! Bam! Suddenly textbooks are an "important issue facing Arlington schools" not just a pet peeve of one person.

And here's where this leads -
If and when this takes off the next step will be advocating for the type of textbooks that are procured - "studies show" that this particular brand or teaching philosophy produces the best outcome. Those studies will conducted by right wing funded think tanks with neutral sounding names and those textbooks will have questionable teaching about U.S. history, economics, social studies and other issues.

And that is how you get one of the most progressive communities in the country to teach that slavery was about economic migrants and that the civil rights era solved all racism in America.

Happy MLK Day!

First problem is that the individual students who DO learn better with textbooks (paper and pencil), rarely get them. So the current situation is reverse of your ridiculous comment: students who need them are instead forced to conform to learning without them with everyone else who can learn successfully without them.

Second point, if a student doesn't need the textbook, they wouldn't have to use it. They are sometimes available online and they can access reading assignments that way; but what is the harm in a student accessing the material via an actual book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know there was like a 500 page APE thread awhile ago asking about who they were, how were they financed and what their end goals were that devolved into nonsense.

I did want to point out a specific example of what the tactics are with their likely endgoal using an example - textbooks.

First - prominent APE member posts in other Arlington groups stating that her son learns math better on text books than electronically. So why can't we pressure Arlington to force all students onto textbooks for math (because obviously the thing that is best for her child personally should be imposed on every child in APS)?

Teachers chime in to point out that textbooks are heavy, expensive and prevent them from teaching to the class level and they can come up with better sample problems that teach the concepts than what was incorporated into the text book. That for later math so much of the work requires computer programs anyway and that its important to teach how to do the work on those programs. Also that higher ed and work is done online so textbook mandated learning handicaps kids going to the next level.

Other APE'rs pop up with comments about how "research says" textbooks are better. If they do cite research its like one study conducted by political ideologues.

But they conclude - we are just talking about math here and there is obviously something special about math instruction that lends itself to textbooks. And math isn't ideological like some other subjects can be so there is no harm!

Then in APE's latest newsletter section on textbooks - but its advocating a "return to textbooks for all subjects" No longer "just math."

Then you have your lackeys post the newsletter everywhere saying - hey this is a good overview of the current issues that are facing schools right now! Bam! Suddenly textbooks are an "important issue facing Arlington schools" not just a pet peeve of one person.

And here's where this leads -
If and when this takes off the next step will be advocating for the type of textbooks that are procured - "studies show" that this particular brand or teaching philosophy produces the best outcome. Those studies will conducted by right wing funded think tanks with neutral sounding names and those textbooks will have questionable teaching about U.S. history, economics, social studies and other issues.

And that is how you get one of the most progressive communities in the country to teach that slavery was about economic migrants and that the civil rights era solved all racism in America.

Happy MLK Day!

Prevent them from teaching to the class level? Unless the class is well beyond the level of the textbook, I don't see that as a problem. Teachers can adjust their lessons from the curriculum whether they're using a textbook or not. But if they need to discard the majority of a textbook because the class is generally too behind? Then maybe we should have been using the textbooks and holding students to a higher standard.

Higher levels of math use computer programs. That argument is irrelevant for elementary school and even middle school; and it's important for students to understand HOW to SOLVE the problems....the logic getting you to the answer. You don't get that by just learning which numbers to plunk into the calculator.

As for handicapping students by making them use books and paper and pencils....UTTER NONSENSE! Kids can learn the digital stuff at any point and there's no legitimate rationale to make them reliant upon it before the near the end of high school. I already see impacts of this in my teens. They have everything done for them so they can't figure something out for themselves when they need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an APS high school teacher. As far as I know, every teacher in Arlington has access to some kind of textbook that we can use however we want. I’ve borrowed it’s basic structure, but I think if I used it much more than that, the kids would be bored to death. I don’t think you’re paying me to teach from a textbook. I hope not.

Textbooks are what we had. Just cause it’s familiar, doesn’t make it better.

NOPE. The only textbooks I have access to are health (never been cracked) and social studies (15 years old).
-upper elementary teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people complain about the lack of textbooks. I don’t see why it’s better to have teachers pulling random worksheets from a “Teachers Pay Teachers” website. What’s wrong with providing teachers with a curriculum and materials that support that curriculum?

As a parent it would be nice to understand what she’s learning and a textbook would help with that and make me better able to assist. My sons private school uses textbooks and it also helps him stay organized. Having a great teacher that can carefully curate curriculum and materials is great but some teachers are not as good as it and it really stinks when your kids is reliant on their half ass materials. The OP is desperate.

[Anonymous]

As a parent it would be nice to understand what she’s learning and a textbook would help with that and make me better able to assist. My sons private school uses textbooks and it also helps him stay organized. Having a great teacher that can carefully curate curriculum and materials is great but some teachers are not as good as it and it really stinks when your kids is reliant on their half ass materials. The OP is desperate.

Isn't the problem that your kid will need to learn how to stay organized without a textbook to actually function in the real world? To not flame out in college if they end up going? How will they learn that skill if they aren't given the chance in school?

It seems like this is an example of alot of parents not being able to handle that teaching and technology have moved on from what they experienced in the 80s and 90s and hamstringing their kids because of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

As a parent it would be nice to understand what she’s learning and a textbook would help with that and make me better able to assist. My sons private school uses textbooks and it also helps him stay organized. Having a great teacher that can carefully curate curriculum and materials is great but some teachers are not as good as it and it really stinks when your kids is reliant on their half ass materials. The OP is desperate.

Isn't the problem that your kid will need to learn how to stay organized without a textbook to actually function in the real world? To not flame out in college if they end up going? How will they learn that skill if they aren't given the chance in school?

It seems like this is an example of alot of parents not being able to handle that teaching and technology have moved on from what they experienced in the 80s and 90s and hamstringing their kids because of it.

So. Much. This. Especially that last part.