Episode #403 "Book 'Em Griff-O"

Hilton notices one of Griffin's textbooks has several post-its sticking out. When he asks about them, Griffin informs him that the slips of paper are all corrections. Since the copyright is 1968, he has to update the book himself, or his students will get outdated information. Hilton finds this unbelievable and Ruth thinks it's disgraceful. Griffin says he's complained about the old books several times but can't get any answers. Finally, Mr. Fleming tells Griffin that new books go to wealthy schools or those that fall below standards. Since Griffin's effective teaching has helped test scores go up, he has actually caused his school to be stuck with the outdated texts. In order to get new books, the students need to fail. Hilton suggests they take the issue to the people, and Griffin informs him that he's already written a letter to the editor of "The Times." There's a celebration at the Flower Café when the letter is actually printed, but no action is forthcoming from the school district. Mr. Fleming tries to get Griffin to back off, but Erica passes the letter along to her friend Angela who works for a state senator. Ruth comments that she's never seen Erica so motivated and so involved. With vans loaded with Griffin's students, Griffin, Erica and Darien head for Albany. Senator Dixon professes to be outraged by Griffin's testimony and solemnly promises to study the problem. Distrustful of empty promises, Griffin gives his student Keisha a pop quiz based on the information in the old books, and her answers underscore Griffin's point that they face a desperate situation with books that are thirty years out of date. Finally, Senator Dixon arranges for Griffin to get the updated texts he so desperately needs. The surprises don't stop there - this experience has changed Erica. She announces that she's done making muffins and wants to become a teacher.