Two weeks from today the Texas State Board of Education will meet to consider and take a pivotal vote on science instructional materials that could be in school classrooms as early as this fall. It will also be the first meeting with Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, serving as board chair. Cargill, part of the SBOE’s […]
Textbook Censorship
The Texas State Board of Education decides what every student in Texas public schools will learn from kindergarten through high school. The board does so by adopting curriculum standards and textbooks for public schools in the state.
For decades, far-right politicians on the State Board of Education and their extremist allies have taken advantage of this flawed system to dismiss the advice of experts and scholars. They have instead worked to inject their personal views into textbooks on everything from evolution and climate change to the history of slavery, civil rights, and separation of church and state.
Resources
- Report Reveals Serious Flaws in Social Studies Textbooks
- The State Board of Education: Dragging Texas Schools into the Culture Wars (2008 report)
- Evolution, Creationism & Public Schools: Surveying Texas Scientists (2008 report)
- Culture Wars and the Classroom (2010 report)
- Senate Bill 6: Changes in the Textbook Adoption Process (2011 report)
- Texas Science Curriculum Standards: Challenges (2012 report)
- Science Textbook Review (2013 report)
- Social Studies Textbook Review (2014 report)
Governor Names Cargill as SBOE Chair
Gov. Rick Perry announces his choice for SBOE chair — Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands. TFN just released the following statement: GOV. PERRY PUTS POLITICS AHEAD OF EDUCATION BY APPOINTING CARGILL AS SBOE CHAIR Governor’s Third Appointment of Board ‘Culture Warrior’ Ensures Continuing Political Battles FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2011 The Texas Freedom Network is […]
David Bradley: Anti-Bigotry Champion? No.
Kate Alexander of the Austin American-Statesman has a story about how anti-Muslim bigotry almost derailed a major public school budget bill last week, nearly forcing the Texas Legislature into another special session. Prodded by anti-Muslim hysteria from right-wing activists (like the folks at Texas Eagle Forum), a number of House members voted against the budget […]
Honk if You Love the Confederacy
Texas may be getting ready to honor the red, white and blue flag. No, not that one. No, not that one either. The Houston Chronicle reports the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles license board is one vote shy of giving its blessing to a state license plate adorned with the Confederate flag. Texas is often […]
Perry’s First Endorsement
Cynthia Dunbar, of course. So what could potentially be so unique about a “Perry for President” bid? Being a Texan, I can clearly say that while Perry has admittedly made a few mistakes, he legitimately has both a backbone and a moral compass. But again, these traits could be seen in other candidates. So what […]
