Resolution against pro-Islamic textbooks goes before Texas Board of Education today

AUSTIN – The State Board of Education today will consider a resolution calling on publishers to focus more on Christianity and less on Islam in new world history textbooks that will be drafted over the next few years. Members of the board's social conservative bloc asked for the resolution after an unsuccessful candidate for a board seat called on the panel to head off any bias against Christians in new social studies books. Some contend that "Middle Easterners" are increasingly buying into companies that publish textbooks.  Stutz reports: http://dallasne.ws/axINmx

Texas education board to consider rule on Islam's portrayal in textbooks

Stutz:
AUSTIN – Just when it appeared the State Board of Education was done with the culture wars, the panel is about to wade into the issue of what students should learn about Islam. The board will consider a resolution next week that would warn publishers not to push a pro-Islamic, anti-Christian viewpoint in world history textbooks.
http://dallasne.ws/aoYB69

Proposed cuts at Texas Education Agency include $48 million for English textbooks

Stutz:

AUSTIN – English textbooks and new science labs for Texas students would be on the chopping block under a proposal to trim some education spending by 10 percent in the next two-year budget. The Texas Education Agency's budget reduction plan, requested by Gov. Rick Perry and other state leaders in anticipation of a revenue shortfall that could reach $18 billion, also would scale back the state's merit pay program for teachers and reduce funding for a steroid testing program for high school athletes.
http://dallasne.ws/d6s4Kz

New science textbooks for Texas schools on hold as state anticipates budget shortfall

Stutz:
AUSTIN – Students will have to hang on to old science books for a year or two longer because of the state's budget crunch. State Board of Education members Tuesday reluctantly decided to postpone action on new science books for schools, a move that will temporarily save up to $500 million.
http://tinyurl.com/29vkoe4

More Texas school districts look at whether to switch to online textbooks

At a time when Facebook and iPad are the rage and information updates with a click, some policymakers are trying to take textbooks off the shelf and onto the Internet.

Electronic textbooks are imperative, advocates say, because they offer inexpensive, interactive lessons that engage today's tech-savvy student and keep content fresh. Opponents worry that more free-flowing material will affect quality and remain unavailable to poorer students without computers.  Meyers reports.
http://tinyurl.com/y56rjen

Social conservative faces tough battle for state ed board sea

Our own Terrence Stutz reports on a hotly contested School Board race between a nationally-known social conservative and his determined challenger.
"The battle for control of the State Board of Education will largely be determined by Republican primary voters in four key races – and nowhere is the competition more fierce than for the seat that represents part of Collin County and much of East Texas."
Read on here.