TheNextReport

Scholastic Changes Course Scholastic Inc. has reacted quickly to a torrent of criticism on news that it produced and was attempting to market a one-sided lesson packet on U.S. energy production sponsored by the American Coal Foundation. Responding to a NY Times editorial and a blistering Internet campaign launched by Rethinking Schools and the Campaign for a Commercial–Free Childhood, Scholastic President and CEO Richard Robinson acknowledged that “the mere fact of sponsorship may call into question the authenticity of the information.” The quality of the information was highlighted by the Times piece, which criticized the packet’s emphasis on the benefits of coal while omitting mention of toxic waste and production of greenhouse gases. The Scholastic coal story indeed hit a raw nerve. Within hours of launching its campaign, Rethinking Schools was joined by a host of environmental advocacy groups, commentators and bloggers; the story was covered by numerous media outlets, electronic