New social studies textbooks planned for use in Texas public schools this year are under fire for the way they depict slavery, the Civil War and racial segregation. According to a report in the Washington Post, the books downplay slavery as a cause of the Civil War and "barely address" segregation in the Jim Crow-era South.

 

Do new Texas textbooks whitewash slavery and segregation? - LA Times

 

For my conservative friends, I couldn't find an article on Foxnews about this issue. My apologies.

This won't just be a Texas issue. Since Texas buys so many textbooks, companies that produce textbooks base a majority of their books on Texas standards.

New Texas History books to omit Jim Crow, KKK and downplay slavery, segregation.

 

If the new book downplays the above, it's not a HISTORY book.

This is disturbing.

While we spent an inordinate amount of time on all issues revolving around the Civil War including Jim Crow and Slavery, I don't think the KKK or any hate group more than just a mere passing comment. KKK not being in there isn't as big of an issue (for me) as down playing the others is.

If the new book downplays the above, it's not a HISTORY book.

 

This is disturbing.

 

These. :thumb:

A little off topic but why invest in new textbooks? Shouldn't everything be web-based and then you can include all history including dissenters views, religious views, every view, etc. Seems like a much better way to teach if we are really interested in education vs. political correctness and/or some type of agenda.

While we spent an inordinate amount of time on all issues revolving around the Civil War including Jim Crow and Slavery, I don't think the KKK or any hate group more than just a mere passing comment. KKK not being in there isn't as big of an issue (for me) as down playing the others is.

 

I think the significance of textbook publishers being asked to not include the KKK, among the other topics, demonstrates the desire to paint over the nastier parts of our history.

 

If the message is that the Civil War wasn't about slavery but instead about states' rights, and if slavery was merely about economics for the wealthy elites, then a student might be rightly confused about where Jim Crow and its violent enforcers came from. So, scrub all of it.

A little off topic but why invest in new textbooks? Shouldn't everything be web-based and then you can include all history including dissenters views, religious views, every view, etc. Seems like a much better way to teach if we are really interested in education vs. political correctness and/or some type of agenda.

 

But, where would textbook publishers get all their money from?!

 

Seriously, the textbook industry is a racket. I imagine if they went to a (smarter) model like you suggest they'd charge exorbitant yearly usage fees.

Far be it from me to politicize, but...

 

 

...The new textbooks are in line with statewide standards adopted in 2010 by the Texas State Board of Education, a 15-member elected panel dominated by Republicans.

But, where would textbook publishers get all their money from?!

 

Seriously, the textbook industry is a racket. I imagine if they went to a (smarter) model like you suggest they'd charge exorbitant yearly usage fees.

 

We are on the same page, I assume most (if not all) of history is out there in the public domain on the Net so it is only a matter of time before schools/the government realize how much money they can save by having an ALL INCLUSIVE database for teaching history and other subjects. Sorta like Wikipedia.

 

Once we get the "right people" in charge technology is going to save us so much money in so many areas.

We are on the same page, I assume most (if not all) of history is out there in the public domain on the Net so it is only a matter of time before schools/the government realize how much money they can save by having an ALL INCLUSIVE database for teaching history and other subjects. Sorta like Wikipedia.

 

Once we get the "right people" in charge technology is going to save us so much money in so many areas.

 

Getting off topic here, but I'd be curious to know how much flexibility an educator has in terms of putting together a curriculum that doesn't rely on a textbook, especially in a subject like History where primary documents and such are readily available online.

 

On one hand a textbook can make be extremely helpful - all the basics of a subject are laid out right there. On the other hand, they might be required by the BOEs or state governments as part of fulfilling standards and requirements.

A little off topic but why invest in new textbooks? Shouldn't everything be web-based and then you can include all history including dissenters views, religious views, every view, etc. Seems like a much better way to teach if we are really interested in education vs. political correctness and/or some type of agenda.

Some schools choose digital textbooks rather than paper.

 

Even if there is a database, many schools do not have 1:1 access to technology for students. Additionally, some students do not have access at home.

Textbook publishers = Standardized test makers too

 

Entire education system needs a couple billion earmarked for 1 to 1 devices for all students.

Getting off topic here, but I'd be curious to know how much flexibility an educator has in terms of putting together a curriculum that doesn't rely on a textbook, especially in a subject like History where primary documents and such are readily available online.

 

On one hand a textbook can make be extremely helpful - all the basics of a subject are laid out right there. On the other hand, they might be required by the BOEs or state governments as part of fulfilling standards and requirements.

 

Good question, I would like to know too.

 

I would say any school that doesn't allow fact into the equation is doing everyone a disservice.