Newsletters Cover Range Of Issues
I ended last week’s column, in which I reviewed recommended books on children, families and child rearing, with the promise that I’d follow up this week with reviews of my favorite newsletters. Here they are.
The Blumenfeld Education Letter, a politically and educationally incorrect newsletter published monthly by Samuel L. Blumenfeld, who has authored several books on educational matters. Blumenfeld, an across-the-board conservative, specializes in going behind the scenes in American education and exposing the sort of administrative and political high jinks that are undermining public school education and have placed American schoolchildren at risk “academically, spiritually, morally, and physically” (from the masthead). He is particularly critical of outcome-based education and whole language instruction. $36 for 12 issues. Write: Box 45161, Boise, ID 83711.
The Education Liberator, the monthly newsletter of the Separation of School and State Alliance. This eight- to 10-page publication is not only visually attractive and interesting, it’s also full of interesting news and information concerning the growing movement to dissolve the relationship between public schools and government. Indeed, nothing within is politically correct, but lest one think SSSA is a fringe organization driven by wackos, quite an impressive number of former state Teachers of the Year, former presidents of state chapters of the National Education Association, distinguished university professors, active and former public and private school administrators, and businesspersons are active supporters. Marshall Fritz, who founded SSSA and publishes this newsletter, is one of the most interesting men I’ve ever encountered. A valuable resource for anyone interested in parents’ rights and educational issues. $25 for 11 issues. White: 4578 N. First 310, Fresno, CA 93726.
Focus on the Family, a monthly newsletter (actually, it almost qualifies as a mini-magazine) published by Dr. James Dobson’s non-profit organization of the same name. Dobson is the author of numerous best-sellers on parenting and family life, including a recent book for teens, and is also a popular television and radio talk-show host. The material is generally helpful and engaging, although there’s often not enough of Dobson himself to satisfy yours truly. He makes up for this, however, by sending out a monthly letter from himself to subscribers in which he summarizes the political activities he and his organization are involved in, all having to do with parents’ rights, political correctness in schools and the like. The newsletter is free, but donations are solicited in a very low-key manner. Call (800) 232-6459.
Raising Your Child’s Self-Esteem, a monthly whose eight pages are generally chock full of news, views and helpful tips concerning the rearing of children. The publishers steer clear of controversy, so it’s not my general cup of tea; nonetheless, this letter never fails to capture my interest and leave me satisfied. $24 for 12 issues. Write: P.O. Box 1003, North Wales, PA 19454.
The Report Card, a bimonthly 16-page newsletter from the L.A.-based Center for the Study of Popular Culture. Like The Blumentahl Report, it’s highly critical of what’s happening in America’s public schools, most of which it attributes to the National Education Association and its political bedfellows. Always fascinating, and of the bunch, my favorite. $25 for six issues. Write: The Education Project, P.O. Box 67398, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
Voice, a monthly eight-page publication from Of the People Foundation, a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to the parents’ rights movement. The parents’ rights issue is heating up in state legislatures, and it’s but a matter of time before it’s going to come to debate in Congress. A monumental battle is shaping up between those who favor a Children’s Rights Amendment to the Constitution (Hillary Rodham Clinton, Marion Wright Edelman) and those who favor a Parents’ Rights Amendment (Dr. James Dobson, me). It would behoove all to familiarize themselves with the issues, and there is no better place to begin. Free! Write: Of the People Foundation, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201 or access through CompuServe’s “Townhall” forum.
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