In 1968 I enrolled at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and our family moved for graduate study. One of my academic requirements was an internship for an entire semester in the Parkersburg, W.V., public schools. My thesis focused on the textual material provided the students which I found was provided by local coal mines. My responsibility was to evaluate the texts that were being utilized by the school district for content and fact regarding history and occupational careers.
What I discovered was amazing. The Civil War history was absolutely different from my past understanding of who were heroes, who won, and why, etc. Major textbook companies printed what was asked by others, not necessarily by fact. Younger folks in some parts of our nation have a different view for several reasons, which is not my intention to explain.
As I investigated the books for career opportunities, I found very few references to professional degrees. I did see that the “company store” concept of the coal mines were emphasized. This also brought back thoughts of Hartville. Not really unlike the energy industries in the state of Wyoming today. Educate them about the great impact of energy in Wyoming and keep them in the state. Can you guess what the bottom line is?
