the nyt argues with regard to texas that curricula shouldn't be politicized and should be left to teachers and experts (really? teachers? somehow i don't feel they are sincere about that); the expert thing is more or less their view of every issue of course. but of course this is disingenuous, and if teachers and experts were recommending, e.g., a more positive portrayal of conservatism or having second thoughts about darwinism, they'd be calling for democracy. (by definition, of course, no expert could endorse a more positive portrayal of conservatism.) let's say that you're setting and enforcing standards in a school system through the use of taxpayer money. then according to our system of government, the taxpayers ought to be setting the curriculum. in other words, you need to get rid either of the public school system or the democracy to do what the nyt thinks (at this moment) ought to be done.