Textbooks and the State Board of Education

The San Antonio Express-News has an editorial, "Control over textbooks must be held in check," responding to a recent Texas Attorney General's opinion.  LINK

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's decision not to expand the State Board of Education's control over public school textbooks did not sit well with some social conservatives on the board.

They had sought an attorney general's opinion on existing textbook legislation in hopes of having Abbott expand their authority.

Having failed, they now plan to lobby state lawmakers to expand their control over textbook content.

Legislators need to be careful on this one. SBOE members cannot be allowed to use textbooks to promote their political agendas.

The review and approval of the textbooks, which will be used in Texas' public schools, has become a politically and emotionally charged process.

In 1995, the Legislature tried to limit the board's control by giving it authority to reject textbooks only if they are factually inaccurate or don't comply with the required state curriculum.

In the 11 years since, various members of the 15-member elected board have attempted end runs on that legislation.

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