Re: [ISTATALK-L] An inconvenient controversy

[POLLOCK GWEN <GPOLLOCK@xxxxxxxx>]

I'm sorry that I have delayed my response to you through the ISTA list
serve.  It seems that the controversy associated with the original offer
from Laurie David about "An Inconvenient Truth" in early December has
nearly taken a life of its own.  As a current member of the NSTA Board
of Directors, I know that Gerry Wheeler and the full NSTA staff, as well
as Linda Froschauer, the NSTA president, have taken very deliberate
actions to resolve the dilemma of the offer.  I personally received 608
emails voicing support and antagonism about the decision; predominately
more were in the category of emails supporting the NSTA decision.
Gerry and Linda have personally answered all the emails and letters.  I
contacted Gerry immediately after receiving this email from Brian and I
think that he had planned to contact Brian personally.  We, as a Board,
have authorized several measures that will allow the 'teachable moment'
of the controversy help NSTA be an even better resource for science
teaching and learning in the country.

It has been NSTA's policy for several years not to distribute materials
to the membership unless we (the organization and the membership) have
been full partners in the development of those materials and that we
will not send materials out to our members without their permission.
The offer infringed on that policy.   There were some quite attractive
alternate offers that were made to the producers, including a special
invitation to Vice-President Gore to have presented at the upcoming St.
Louis conference.  However, the offers have not been accepted.  The
offer that Brian brought up was made almost immediately after the
controversy began.   The commercial release of the DVD was timed
simultaneously with the offer for NSTA distribution to teachers,
coincidentally.

The opening page of the NSTA web site (http://www.nsta.org/) still
provides information about the challenge and its resolution updates.
Please check this out.  If I can be of further assistance in this
matter, please let me know.  

Gwen Pollock, Science
Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program
Division of Curriculum and Instruction (C-215)
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, IL  62777
217/557-7323 (phone)
217/782-7937 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: ISTA Members Discussion List [mailto:ISTATALK-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of bpoelker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 5:43 PM
To: ISTATALK-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ISTATALK-L] An inconvenient controversy

I have received several emails asking if I want the video "An  
Inconvenient Truth"  sent to my classroom for free.  Now it seems that  
NSTA is pulling the plug on the offer.  What's going one?  Check out  
the web page below and find out more.

http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=06-P13-00049&segmentID=1

Brian Poelker
Distinguished Colleague Illinois Science Teachers Association
bpoelker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.sdworkshops.org/brianpoelker.htm
http://www.primepresentations.com/biopoelker.thtml

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