NYC Education Dept bans 50 words

29.03.2012

TEACHERS' LOUNGE

A list of 50 banned topics

was included in a recently issued request for proposals to companies interested in creating new versions of tests given to New York City students. [These tests aim at measuring progress in English, math, science and social studies throughout the year.] These words -topics- should now be deleted from city-issued tests, an edict issued by the city’s Department of Education says, for fear... "the words could 4appear biased4 or 4evoke unpleasant emotions4 in students".

CNN latest Wednesday's edition of "Piers Morgan Tonight" :

Piers Morgan used its "Only in America" segment to discuss New York City Department of Education's intention to ban the 50 words from standardized tests.

List of words

Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological)
Alcohol (beer and liquor), tobacco, or drugs
Birthday celebrations (and birthdays)
Bodily functions
Cancer (and other diseases)
Catastrophes/disasters (tsunamis and hurricanes)
Celebrities
Children dealing with serious issues
Cigarettes (and other smoking paraphernalia)
Computers in the home (acceptable in a school or library setting)
Crime
Death and disease
Divorce
Evolution
Expensive gifts, vacations, and prizes
Gambling involving money
Halloween
Homelessness
Homes with swimming pools
Hunting
Junk food
In-depth discussions of sports that require prior knowledge

Loss of employment
Nuclear weapons
Occult topics (i.e. fortune-telling)
Parapsychology
Politics
Pornography
Poverty
Rap Music
Religion
Religious holidays and festivals (including but not limited to Christmas, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan)
Rock-and-Roll music
Running away
Sex
Slavery
Terrorism
Television and video games (excessive use)
Traumatic material (including material that may be particularly upsetting such as animal shelters)
Vermin (rats and roaches)
Violence
War and bloodshed
Weapons (guns, knives, etc.)
Witchcraft, sorcery, etc.