Communities all across the country are dealing with issues of commercialism in schools.
Here CERU highlights how various communities have responded towards commercialism in schools.
Also follow the "Quick Links" to find the writings and ideas of students, parents, teachers, and other community
members on commercialism in schools.
To post contributions to this page, email us at
ceru@asu.edu.
Quick Links:
Community Responses to Commercialism
An online survey of 978 U. S. residents conducted in the Spring of 2004 finds that a large majority of
respondents believe that the youth marketing industry is harmful to children and has questionable ethical
practices, that the industry contributes to a variety of problems common in youth, that most of the
marketing that takes place in schools is unacceptable, and that marketing directed at children under
8 years of age should be prohibited.
In Colorado several months ago, Chairman of the State Board of Education Jared Polis established a
committee on school nutrition that involved stakeholders from all levels of the community.
The committee is currently focused on the quality of snacks offered in school vending machines,
trying to replace unhealthy snacks and drinks with healthier ones.
Calling Coca-Cola's new Model
Guidelines for School Beverage Partnerships a public relations ploy, the national coalition Stop Commercial
Exploitation of Children (SCEC) is urging parents, educators and health care professionals to continue their
fight to make schools marketing free zones.
Find guidelines in
PDF
Dentists and children's coalition protests a research grant from soft drink giant Coca-Cola to the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation.
Find protest letter in
Word
Snack manufacturers fund a roster of benignly named organizations purporting to provide expertise on health
and nutrition issues. Unwitting reporters quoting groups with names like the American Council on Fitness and
Nutrition are sometimes unaware that their sources are actually promoting snack-food-industry interests.
Ross Getman, a Syracuse lawyer, is representing American Quality Beverages,
maker of a sports drink, and individual taxpayers who are suing the
Fulton City School District, Coca Cola Bottling Co. and Education
Commissioner Richard Mills over the school district's contract with
Coke.
A recent lawsuit filed against the New York State Commissioner of
Education suggests that schools' exclusive "pouring rights" contracts
with Coca-Cola are unconstitutional and therefore illegal.
A legal challenge before a state judge in Albany, NY, could leave
school districts and their lucrative contracts with soda companies
flat.
This guide, developed by California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging
Activity & Nutrition), gives direction to individuals and community
groups trying to combat school district soft drink contracts.
Soft-drink industry insists its products really aren't very popular.
A father has filed a complaint contending that the Salem-Keizer School
District is violating the Oregon State Constitution by forcing his
son and daughter to watch commercial advertising in school.
Complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon by a father
who asserts that it is unconstitutional to force his children to watch
Channel One, and its commercial advertising, in school.
American Quality Beverages joined with individual taxpayers and residents to
challenge the legality of exclusive soda agreements with schools.
Washington State legislation, supported by the Citizens' Campaign
for Commercial-Free Schools, was blocked from coming to a vote in
the Appropriations Committee. The bill would have established a model
policy on sales of junk food and sodas in schools.
A bill supported by the Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools
was defeated in committee in Washington State that would have drafted
a model policy addressing junk food sales and marketing in schools
to guide school boards in setting local policy.
The Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools makes a mock
arrest of Coca-Cola Corp. after finding them illegally advertising
on school vending machines.
A citizen response to the Pepsi pouring rights issue with the Salem-Keizer
(Ore.) school district.
The author says the caffeine in soda violates the zero tolerance policy
of "No-Doze" or caffeine tablets of the Salem-Keizer (Ore.)
schools.
A statement made to the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) school board about the
caffeine content of Pepsi and its apparent violation of school rules
and state law on drug substances.
The authors specifically list "pouring rights" contracts with soda
companies as one of the barriers to change toward a healthy environment
for children in Seattle, Wash., Public Schools.
The mission of this letter is "to protect children and youth from
commercial influences at school."
This joint statement from scholars and leaders tackles the growing
influence of advertising and marketing in the shaping of children's
values. The statement shows how those who advertise products and sponsor
media programming are increasingly harming children and urges them
to endorse a new Mothers' Code for Advertisers to safeguard children.
Published by
The Institute For American Values.
"It contains information to help parents and early childhood professionals
work with children on issues related to media violence. It also has
information adults can use to limit the amount of violence that is
marketed to children through the media."
"On Monday, Nov. 20, the Seattle Education Association voted overwhelmingly
to oppose the commercialization of Seattle public schools by passing
a resolution presented by Ted Lockery, a Seattle middle school teacher."
"Because of the pervasive influence of the electronic media--such
as TV, movies, videos, computer--children spend more time sitting
in front of a screen and less time playing creatively with each other."
This guide will aid in choosing toys for children.
"A coalition of child advocates and academics sent letters today to
President Clinton, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), and other key Members
of Congress asking that federally mandated Internet filters in schools
and libraries be prohibited from carrying advertising."