Can Outside States (not Texas) boycott the new textbooks and purchase elsewhere?

[no_hypocrisy]

These guidelines, if unchanged, last a decade.

Can these guidelines be amended or reversed?

Will standardized tests be based on the Texas criteria in social studies textbooks, thereby if a student chooses an answer in contradiction of the TX standards, s/he will get a lower score?

[tanyev]

1. The problem has been that since Texas was such a large market,

a lot of textbook publishers voluntarily followed their guidelines, hoping their books would get picked for purchase. Those days may already be over. Here is a good article from the Austin American Statesman back in March.


Texas' influence on textbooks could wane

But changes in Texas' purchasing practices, a looming budget shortfall and legislators' efforts to wean schools off hardbound textbooks could mean that Texas — and the State Board of Education — will no longer be the arbiter of content it has been in the past.

The textbooks being purchased now for language arts classes will probably mark "the end of the high-level of Texas influence as we knew it in the '70s, '80s and '90s," said David Anderson , a former director of curriculum at the Texas Education Agency and now a lobbyist whose clients include a major textbook publisher.

Bob Cassel, publisher of EMC Publishing Co., whose literature texts have been approved by the board, said publishers have tailored textbooks to Texas in the past because the state has been an enormous customer with a reliable source of textbook funding from the $22 billion Permanent School Fund.

Several legislative changes meant to encourage the use of approved online resources and other electronic materials could have the effect of dispersing Texas' buying power, Anderson said. The state's education commissioner, rather than the elected state board, will determine which online materials will make the cut.


http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/texas-influence-on-textbooks-could-wane-336909.html

[MadHound]

2. Don't know about how the guidelines are changed,

I imagine that is up to the Texas SBOE. As far as tests go, they're not based on what's in those textbooks.

States could boycott Texas textbooks, but it would be more of a pain and more expensive. What it is going to boil down to is individual teachers in the classroom. For instance I teach Social Studies, and if I'm presented with a Texas textbook to use, I won't use it. Instead I will rely on the provision in my state's grade level expectations that calls for students to use as many primary sources as possible and shun the textbook in favor of primary documents. I know many colleagues that would do the same.

This is a blatant attempt to rewrite history and teachers simply won't stand for it.

[robinblue]

3. Districts buy the lowest priced books--since the Texas market

sells the most, it keeps prices somewhat down.

[redqueen]

6. It's CA that buys the most, actually. (nt)

[ashling]

4. Certainly!

In the dark ages the Texas textbook choices made a difference because the publishing companies catered to Texas because they bought so many more books. Today they can print 50 different copies if they want to.

Don't Blame us if your schools use this pulp fiction.

People are boycotting Arizona over a law that affects Arizona. If you think this affects you, then don't buy this crap.

There is a thing called the internet. There are even e-textbooks on the internet. You don't have to buy this shit!

But for God's sake, Stop whining!

[marshall]

5. They can buy whatever textbooks they want

Or they can start their own state education agency and authorize the printing of books that have the things they choose.

It's basically laziness and cheapness that has driven this. It's easy and costs less to just follow Texas.

[KharmaTrain]

7. It's Already Happening...

Our local school district had a meeting a week or so ago where the topic of Texas schoolbooks were brought up and a majority on the board voted to review all new textbooks (especially those used in Texas) and determine if they have been "politically altered" (love that term). If so, the books will not be used.

One of the members pointed out that most of the books used are written and published in this area but that there's been special attention paid to the quality in textbooks for several years...the board sponsors a group of parents and teachers who can recommend or object to books being used. Be assured if word gets out of one of the Texas books getting into our schools, there's going to be a lot of noise made.

[a la izquierda]

8. That's awesome!

Here's my deal: I'm a 32 grad student. Odds are, I'll end up in TX, AZ or CA (I'm getting my PhD in Latin American history). I've delayed having kids to finish my degree.

I'm horrified at the thought of having to put potential children through the TX education system. I don't want to homeschool, but I KNOW I will have daily arguments with the school admins, because of what I do for a living. What a mess! Luckily, this is a non-issue at the moment, but I think about it pretty frequently.

[KharmaTrain]

10. One Textbook Too Far...

My condolences for your choices. Personally, I won't step foot in Texas and have even had business meetings moved from that state since I refuse to travel there (or any crimson red state). I don't want my investment money or to pay the hotel taxes and other money that goes into rushpublican pockets. Arizona is also on that list now. I'll gladly donate to candidates in those states but I avoid doing any business as long as the states are dominated by rushpublicans...especially unhinged ones. Fortunately the list is smaller than it was in the past.

I have a daughter already in grad school, my son and son-in-law start in the Fall. My daughter is in a library science program and said part of the reason for going for the masters was so she can review books for ciriculum and integrate new technology and more sources of information as opposed to sticking with just one textbook.

Here's hoping the fine folks in Texas realize what's happening here...and how their school board has become the laughing stock of the country. They sure will when their kids attempt to compete on a national level and are at a big disadvantage as their scores will surely be lower in aress such as history and science.

Given your three choices, I'd definitely pick California...if you can afford it. Here's hoping you can find something in New Mexico...a beautiful state and very blue.

Best of luck and cheers...

[a la izquierda]

12. It's unfortunate...

I'm sort of at the mercy at the academic market, which, like everything, has been affected by the larger economic picture. Put it this way-most recent PhDs don't have much choice anymore, especially when one does not have an Ivy pedigree. I'm very fortunate that I study a hot commodity at the moment (modern Mexico), I have a fascinating diss topic, I'm a woman and my advisor is very well known in our field. Hopefully, my choices will not be so limited.
Otherwise, I'm preparing to whore myself out to Washington, though I have been increasingly thinking about non-profits.
I don't love my options. Unfortunately, I've got a lot of student debt.

[KharmaTrain]

15. I Wish You All The Best Of Luck & Vibes

I've always been fascinated with Mexican culture and its people. While the racists have turned up the hate, I also see a lot of people in my part of the world (Chicago) who have taken an increased sensitivity to the problems these people face and the misunderstandings among our two countries. Here's hoping you will be able to breach that divide as I think the more we understand one another the easier it is to fix the problems.

Sadly a degree isn't what it used to be. In my day, a bachelors was sufficient to move to the "top of the pile" but today there are so many degrees out there in some fields that it takes a masters or PhD to reach a similar level. In my field (communications), a degree is almost a liability as corporates would rather hire young singles who will take less and work longer hours...they hate experience and education as that is a threat to the plantation system that's taken hold.

Hang in there, I've noticed with education we ebb and flow...here's a hope that sooner rather than later those in academia are once again considered valued in this country.

Cheers...

[charlesg]

11. The blue areas of Texas are quite livable

Specifically, the larger cities. Austin is an often-quoted example.

[donco6]

9. Not all states mandate the same textbooks statewide.

Here in Colorado, each district makes it's own decision on texts.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

13. Yes - states can boycott the text books.

New digital technology significantly reduces the monopoly of Texas. California will NOT be buying the TX editions. When I was in HS in Pennsylvania, we used the Massachusetts editions of the Physics and Calculus texts (late 1950's)

[madrchsod]

14. teachers can pick and choose what they want to discuss

they can give more or less weight to the subject matter. i remember during the 50`s 1-8 was pretty much by the book.then in high school the book was a tool for class discussion. by the time i was in community college the book was pretty much a dead weight. everything was based on discussion and research.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. If they can find them

As for standardized tests, most states don't test Social Studies. It's not required under NCLB.

[Bitwit1234]

17. Some states, as reported in the media,

Heaven forbid they did report it, are looking elsewhere to buy their books. They don't agree with the Texas version. So maybe this company is going to loose a lot of money.