New measures intend to curb commercialism in California schools
Thanks in part to the Center, two exciting new bills were introduced to the California State Assembly Education committee just after the first of the year. Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni of San Rafael has put forward ABs 116 and 117, both of which would curb the rising tide of commercialism in public schools.

AB116 prohibits the new disturbing develop-ment of commercialism in state-approved text-books (see accompanying article on back page). AB117 would make it illegal in California for a school board to enter into a contract that “grants exclusive advertising rights to a person, business or corporation”. AB117 goes on to include contracts for electronic products that “require the dissemina-tion of advertising to pupils.”

AB117 therefore would effectively outlaw Channel One, exclusive Coke-Pepsi deals, and also the new ZapMe corporation from operating in California. ZapMe, for those who haven’t yet heard offers “free” computers to schools as long as they use their advertising-laden internet software a min-imum of four hours a day.

A front-page article in the San Francisco Chronicle which quoted a Center staff member on the value of ZapMe originally prompted Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni’s office to call us. We are most pleased that the information we provided resulted in the creation of this ground-breaking legislation.

The Center continues to work closely with Mazzoni’s office. Now we need your grassroots support. We are asking our members, especially those who live in California, to make calls and write letters to:

• The Honorable Kerry Mazzoni, California State Assembly, PO Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0001, (916) 319-2006

• The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Speaker of the Assembly, State Capitol Building Room 219, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 319-2045

Let them know you strongly support ABs 116 and 117 by simply specifying at the top of the let-ter “Re: AB 116 and AB 117- SUPPORT”. Then add a line or two about who you are and why you oppose commercialism in schools!

Get Active… Join Our School Watch Team!

Seeking Volunteer Coodinators!

Introducing our new Executive Director

School administrator calls for district principals to increase Coke sales

ACTION ALERT

The Center welcomes new board members

New nationwide math book found to have commercialism

CHANNEL ONE UPDATE…

[Top] - [Home] - [Newsletters] - [Become a Member]