Statement from Scholastic on “The United States of Energy”
By Scholastic on May 13th, 2011
Scholastic’s children’s books, magazines, reading programs and website content are used in most American classrooms – a responsibility and trust that we built through painstaking work through 90 years of service to teachers and schools. A tiny percentage of this material is produced with sponsors, including government agencies, non-profit associations and some corporations. This week, Scholastic came under criticism for an 11” x 16” poster map which displays different sources of energy – coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind and natural gas – not so much for the content of the poster but primarily for its sponsorship by the American Coal Foundation. We acknowledge that the mere fact of sponsorship may call into question the authenticity of the information, and therefore conclude that we were not vigilant enough as to the effect of sponsorship in this instance. We have no plans to further distribute this particular program. Because we have always been guided by our belief that we can do better, we are undertaking a thorough review of our policy and editorial procedures on sponsored content, and we will publish only those materials which are worthy of our reputation as “the most trusted name in learning.”
Posted: May 13th, 2011 under Education, More News. Tags: news.
9 comments
Comments
If the statement above is any indication, you guys at Scholastic do not fully comprehend the nature of the complaint, or its implications for your brand.
The misleading educational materials go FAR beyond the “11” x 16” poster map….not so much for the content of the poster but primarily for its sponsorship by the American Coal Foundation.”
http://www.fastcompany.com/1753121/this-is-what-it-really-looks-like-when-the-coal-industry-targets-kids
If Scholastic hopes to prevent deeper damage to its now-tarnished credibility, you’ll need to do a lot better. Very disappointing. Very damaging to your brand.
Perhaps a sponsorship with a renewable energy company whose product DOESN’T contribute to negative public health outcomes and growing rates of childhood asthma is in order.
Comment on May 13, 2011 at 4:11 pm
If all you did was print a little poster map, and you’re not distributing that, what the heck is this page on your site:
Comment on May 13, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Good work, Scholastic. The nuclear industry has some promoting they’d like to do too, so you folks can clamber on board with them too. And boy do they need your help!
Comment on May 13, 2011 at 6:08 pm
A better partner might have been these guys, at least they give kids free inhalers! http://www.coalcares.org/freeinhalers.html
Comment on May 13, 2011 at 6:08 pm
progressive, alternative thinking is a mandate of sane intelligence-we can’t get there without the present forms of support and impowerment.
Comment on May 16, 2011 at 1:19 am
Since I was a child I have trusted the name Scholastic, but now im beginning to doubt everything ive ever read. I had no idea Scholastic pimped their services this way.
Comment on May 17, 2011 at 5:48 am
Am I missing something here? There is no indication that Scholastic has pulled its entire United States of Energy curriculum. Their post indicates that only the POSTER has been pulled. I called the company yesterday to ask about other materials and was told to send an email. I have not heard back from the company. This thing isn’t over.
Comment on May 17, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Skyrocketing energy rates through Government imposed regulations causing manmade shortages and rationing , compliments of Regulation Czar, Cas Sunstein, should give us pause over Scholastic and Coal collaboration.
Comment on May 18, 2011 at 3:57 pm
This country has a majority of its energy derived from coal, and it cannot be ignored. Let the lesson plan work on its own merits. I mean the whole “Inconvenient Truth” lesson plans were not only left alone, but are being taught in schools. In essence, the carbon credit banking system, and carbon exchange boards are able to get their drivel out, but not the coal industry?
Scholastic should never have caved into an environmental wackjob outfit. And now Scholastic is going to distribute a “Celebrate Earth Day” book? That is just as worse going the other direction. So it seems we only get a one-sided direction to teach our kids? We either must teach them environmental religion, or get sued? You are all nuts.
As the parent, I get to decide what my kids learn. If I dont like a particular book, then I talk to my kids about it.
Comment on May 19, 2011 at 3:11 pm
