Texas

Regulation

"The religious right also ended up influencing textbook content indirectly by having a lasting impact in Texas, the second largest adoption state in the country. Like California, Texas had statutory provisions that prohibited the adoption of instructional materials that showed bias toward any particular group or presented genders and ethnicity in stereotypical roles. But unlike California, Texas did not have extended “social content” guidelines—and other provisions of state law were actually a throwback to the cheerleader textbook era of the 1950s. Textbooks were required to promote “understanding of the essentials and benefits of the free enterprise system, and emphasize patriotism and respect for recognized authority.” Nor could textbooks 'encourage life styles deviating from generally accepted standards of society.'" (Fordham 2004, 15)

Attempting to introduce greater objectivity into the adoption process, in 1995, "the Texas legislature revised adoption laws so that textbooks could only be challenged for factual inaccuracies or failing to comply with the state’s curriculum standards" (Fordham 2004, 22). However, by then, publishers had already modified their processes to encompass the sensitivity necessary to keep their Texan customers.

Far beyond Texas

"As the Texas board of education prepares to adopt controversial new standards for social studies next month, many observers and news outlets have emphasized that the action may have ripple effects that reach classrooms far beyond the Lone Star State." Texas' Clout Over Textbooks Could Shift With Market

"Because of its purchasing power, Texas has unique force with the educational publishers,” said Gilbert T. Sewall, the director of the American Textbook Council, a nonprofit research group based in New York City. “Publishers want to use as much of the Texas edition as possible in what they’re selling nationwide.” Texas' Clout Over Textbooks Could Shift With Market

“It’s very practical. There’s a big Texas adoption or a big California adoption for a subject area,” Lee Wilson, the president and chief executive officer of PCI Education, said. “All the publishers scramble to get on the list. ... It can cost tens of millions of dollars to put the materials together and additional millions to promote them. So once you’ve invested that money, what almost all the publishers do is take that book—that becomes the bones of whatever they’re offering for all other states.” Texas' Clout Over Textbooks Could Shift With Market

and more at:

Texas School Board Seeks to Rewrite Your Textbooks

Campaign Don't Let Texas Rewrite History

Links

• Texas State Board of Education
  • Division of Instructional Materials and Educational Technology
• List of Texas School Districts

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