TSBOE Votes on Texan Curriculum Standards
Today, the Texas State Board of Education voted on curriculum standards of social studies for the Texan public school system. As I am sure most of you are aware, these standards will affect many other states as publishers will often tailor textbooks specifically to meet Texan requirements. This vote followed several days of debate as final amendments were proposed.Cynthia Dunbar, one of the strongest voices for the SBOE's conservative voting block, decided that a nice, long prayer would be an appropriate way to begin today's discussion.
video: "a Christian land governed by Christian principles"
May 19, 2010:
Live-Blogging the May Social Studies Hearing
Live-Blogging the Social Studies Hearing IILive-Blogging the Social Studies Hearing III
May 20, 2010:
Live-Blogging the May Social Studies Debate
Blogging the Social Studies Debate II
Blogging the Social Studies Debate IIIMay 21, 2010:
Live Blogging the Final Social Studies Vote
Most analyses are pegging this as a conservative win. However, Thomas Jefferson was re-included amongst a list of essential Enlightenment thinkers to be studied. I suppose that a small victory is better than none at all.
But the fight is not over. Following tonight's vote, Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller issued the following e-mail to TFN supporters:
Moments ago the State Board of Education cast the final vote on new social studies standards, ending more than a year of political wrangling that invited derision and scorn from the entire educational world. I'm not going to take you through the litany of problems with this curriculum. You can read about those on our blog or in the hundreds of news stories that will appear in the media tomorrow. All of these issues, as serious as they are, are really symptoms of the larger problem -- allowing politicians with personal agendas to write our children' curriculum, rather than teachers and scholars.
That's why today's vote is not the end of this fight. It's the beginning.
For 15 years, all of us at TFN have been committed to safeguarding our children's education from political ideology. And we're not about to let up now.
Please make a generous contribution to our efforts today.
Our ultimate goal is nothing less than fundamental change at the State Board of Education. Parents, business leaders and concerned citizens across Texas must join together in our Just Educate campaign to send a clear message to politicians: stop dragging our children’s schools into the “culture wars.” That's why TFN is mounting our largest grassroots mobilization effort in the history of the organization. And we are counting on you to take part.
TFN's strategy is ambitious and aggressive -- and you can be sure that far-right pressure groups will continue to shell out millions of dollars to hold on to their power. That’s why we're asking you for the most generous gift you can make today.
Together, we can do it. Our kids deserve better. Our future depends on it.
With gratitude,
Kathy Miller
video: Kathy Miller message from the SBOE chamber
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Comment by Shine on May 21, 2010 at 9:48pm -
Okay, I'm having issues embedding the two videos so I'll leave them here in a comment until I figure it out.
"a Christian land governed by Christian principles"
Kathy Miller message from the SBOE chamber
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Comment by Shanika on May 21, 2010 at 10:10pm -
sigh
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Comment by James on May 21, 2010 at 10:44pm -
Texas... Yet again putting personal bias ans misinformation before the facts. Maybe we can give Texas back to Mexico.
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Comment by Dan on May 22, 2010 at 12:12am -
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Comment by Dan on May 22, 2010 at 12:12am
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btw Featured
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Comment by Becky Glynn on May 22, 2010 at 3:51am -
Texas has chosen to lower itself, once again, on the evolutionary ladder. Since I am a native Texan, and married to a native Mexican, I can say that Mexico doesn't want Texas back....on the other hand, they are taking it back one mall at a time!
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Comment by Shine on May 22, 2010 at 8:54am
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Thanks! And I'm all for Texas being given back to Mexico so long as we can incorporate the siesta tradition into our daily lives.
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Comment by Becky Glynn on May 25, 2010 at 6:37pm
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Absolutely one of the best customs of my husband's country! I couldn't agree more...and another note, it was one of my young Mexican compatriots that suggested I visit this wonderful website. Thanks Max!
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