California

Regulation

Adoption Process: California's Sensitive Guidelines

In the 1970s, California took the lead in textbook adoption reform. Specifically, in 1976, California, in order to redress the use of stereotypes, enacted its “social content standards”. These required that the review committee approve only educational resources that “accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society, including the contributions of both men and women in all types of roles . . . (and the) contributions of American Indians, American Negroes, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, and members of other ethnic and cultural groups.”

Textbooks and resources Adoption Cycle

California school districts are normally required to have new textbooks at elementary and middle schools within two years of the state picking and approving them, which happens about every six years. The state OK’d a list of math books in 2007 and reading and language arts books in 2008.

Due to recent (2008-2009) cuts in the educational budget, districts wanting to delay required purchases apply to the State Board of Education for waivers. The new state budget allows the textbook purchasing requirements to be suspended for 2008-10, according to the Association of California School Administrators.

School Districts

http://www.greatschools.net/schools/districts/California/CA

Education Budget

"Larger class sizes and fewer librarians are just some of the consequences of a state budget passed on Thursday that cuts $7 billion from California schools, according to the state’s top educator. Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said school lunch programs would run out of money even quicker than they did last year and there would be less money for instructional materials and teacher development." (KCBS, February, 2009)

Navigation

Back to The K-12 Level
Back to Overall Picture of the EM-K12 field
Back to Educational Materials