On May 20, Diane Berreth, ASCD's Deputy Executive Director, testified about commercialism in schools before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Others giving testimony included Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum, Paul Folkemer of Channel One, and consumer advocate Ralph Nader.
"The federal government can play a role in helping set the framework for general guidelines and by providing research to support local and district decisions regarding advertising," Berreth said. She urged districts to ask four questions when making decisions about school use of materials provided by special-interest groups or by businesses: (1) Are the materials consistent with the district's values, goals, and objectives? (2) Do they respond to a clearly defined educational need? (3) Do they support the adopted curriculum? (4) Do they promote a brand-name product?
For a complete version of Berreth's testimony, visit ASCD's Web site at http://www.ascd.org.