Texas Board of Education OKs resolution against pro-Islamic references in textbooks

AUSTIN – The State Board of Education today adopted a resolution calling on publishers to curtail references to Islam in future history books. Conservatives on the board said the resolution, which was approved on a 7-6 vote Friday, was needed to halt what they described as a creeping Middle Eastern influence in the nation's publishing industry. Citing history books no longer used in Texas schools, the resolution says those books devoted more lines of text to Islamic beliefs and practices than Christian beliefs and practices.
Stutz was there: http://dallasne.ws/axINmx

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

Candidate says education board is overstepping its authority over state's textbooks

AUSTIN – An effort by some State Board of Education members to specify how Christianity and Islam should be covered in new world history books is illegal and should be dropped, a candidate who is expected to be an incoming board member and who has clashed with social conservatives said Wednesday.

Stutz reports: http://dallasne.ws/9aIsWa

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.
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