James,

The Virginia SOLs are for FAMOUS AMERICANS, not strickly Virginians. You 
would not want Virginia children to grow up not knowing about the famous 
people from around the country who helped shape this great nation, now would 
you?

By the way, Virginia had its own Rosa Parks in Irene Morgan. If you don't 
know who Irene Morgan is (not was, she's still alive), check out: 
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org/famamer/Morgan.html

The Virginia SOLs have their limitations. For example, Virginia children 
learn that Virginia contributed eight presidents. In truth, they contributed 
ten. Eight were presidents of the United States, but Sam Houston became the 
President of the Republic of Texas, and J. J. Roberts became the President 
of Liberia.

When I was running the computer lab at Southside Elementary, I had pictures 
of some Famous Americans as wallpaper on the computer screens in the lab. 
One, of course, was a picture of M. L. King. One kindergartner came in the 
lab, looked at the picture of King, and said, "That's my favorite 
president". And, wouldn't you know it, that little fellow, with his blonde 
hair and blue eyes showed the wisdom of our children learning about ALL the 
heroes of our culture!!!

Anne

Anne Pemberton
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http://www.erols.com/apembert
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org