Originally Posted: July 2, 2015
Many problems still exist in how Texas adopts its school textbooks say critics. Reforming the process failed to gain traction in the state’s 84th legislative session.
The troubles have been well documented by Texas journalists over the past 10 years and even some documentarians got in on the action.
The process has produced textbooks that some say distort history, conflate and portray religions inaccurately. Schools have not been required to use the State Board of Education (SBOE) approved books for the past few years, but recently the SBOE requested a legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, that many view as another grab at controlling local school districts content.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed newly elected district 6 board member Donna Bahorich as Chair of the board. The Houston Republican has gotten a lot of attention as a result, with many questioning her role administering public school education when her children were homeschooled. LISTEN
Guests:
Donna Bahorich, Chair of Texas’ State Board of Education
Michael Soto, Professor at Trinity University, and former SBOE member for San Antonio
David Brockman, Instructor at Southern Methodist University