California vs Texas

[Pieter Nosworthy]

OK, I'm a Texan so I'm a tad biased (though I was born in CA). Cool and illustrative article states what most of us already surmised...

http://pajamasmedia.com/eddriscoll/2010 ... o-the-sea/

And, yes, if Texas seriously considered secession...I'd probably take my family back to the Six-Flag part of this continent to support their bid for viability as a fledgling nation.

-Noz

Oh, my kids are enrolled in public school in TN...as a parent (however crappy and poorly suited) I follow their education. They are now in the midst of TCAP and other testing as to their understanding of the past year's instruction...my daughter is terribly smart and the boy (a junior) is not so much (like his father). Anyway, in talking with them today they noted that the testing covered math, English, science, and (I think) reading comprehension...nothing of history and civics. The conversation, as is a parent's wont, devolved to the fact that the most important was least emphasized...a species that does not understand or know it's prior existence or place in society is lost (I could feel my kids roll their eyes over the phone, too). My kids, I am hoping, will appreciate my philosophical and thoughtful nature later in life (BWAHAAHAAHA...snort...HAAAHA...snort...HA). No, honestly, they really might, however doubtful and improbable (they have met me, unfortunately).

All of which leads into the topic of text books and Texas;

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010 ... latestnews

[TollandRCR]

Oh, my kids are enrolled in public school in TN...as a parent (however crappy and poorly suited) I follow their education. They are now in the midst of TCAP and other testing as to their understanding of the past year's instruction...my daughter is terribly smart and the boy (a junior) is not so much (like his father). Anyway, in talking with them today they noted that the testing covered math, English, science, and (I think) reading comprehension...nothing of history and civics. The conversation, as is a parent's wont, devolved to the fact that the most important was least emphasized...a species that does not understand or know it's prior existence or place in society is lost (I could feel my kids roll their eyes over the phone, too). My kids, I am hoping, will appreciate my philosophical and thoughtful nature later in life (BWAHAAHAAHA...snort...HAAAHA...snort...HA). No, honestly, they really might, however doubtful and improbable (they have met me, unfortunately).

All of which leads into the topic of text books and Texas;

http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010 ... latestnews

Noz, the testing required by No Child Left Behind is as follows:

Annual Academic Assessments. Annual reading and math assessments will provide parents with the information they need to know how well their child is doing in school, and how well the school is
educating their child. Further, annual data is a vital diagnostic tool for schools to achieve continuous improvement. With adequate time for planning and implementation, each state may select and design
assessments of their choosing. In addition, a sample of students in each state will be assessed annually with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 4th and 8th grade assessment in reading and math.
...
Most states have established standards for what students should know in reading and math. This proposal requires that states also set challenging content standards in history and science.

There is no requirement for testing in civics in the proposal provided to Congress by President Bush. It is very likely that TCAP includes tests in history. It may or may not include tests in civics; President Bush's idea did not go that far.

As for the controlling influence of the Texas School Board on K-12 textbooks: that power could be easily broken. Although Texas is indeed the single largest purchaser of textbooks in the nation, the other states combined leave Texas far behind in the dust. All that would have to happen is that a few of the less benighted states tell publishers that they require textbooks that honestly cover history, civics, science, etc. Sure, it would put the publishers in a bind. Since I have no love for textbook publishers, I say "Tough. You never had to let Texas dictate the content of your textbooks. You betrayed the students." Cut Texas loose and let them try publishing their own textbooks for a while. Then watch how this affects admissions to colleges and universities."

However, the easiest way to fix the Texas School Board is for people to vote. Creationist McLeroy loses in Texas election.

[Pieter Nosworthy]

TollandRCR,

Buddy, I meant no significant point...each local should have auspices to dictate material instructed and whatnot. I (and perhaps you) see things differently than the young bucks of today, for better of worse.

Parents have a desire for certain truths to be held unassailable...some are more reasonable than others. I'm a history buff...and would have preferred that the watersheds of this nation be regarded with the weight they are entitled. All of which are subject to opinion and discussion.

Thanks and I assume you see my greater point.

-Noz

[TollandRCR]

TollandRCR,

Buddy, I meant no significant point...each local should have auspices to dictate material instructed and whatnot. I (and perhaps you) see things differently than the young bucks of today, for better of worse.

Parents have a desire for certain truths to be held unassailable...some are more reasonable than others. I'm a history buff...and would have preferred that the watersheds of this nation be regarded with the weight they are entitled. All of which are subject to opinion and discussion.

Thanks and I assume you see my greater point.

-Noz

You put your finger on the defect in textbook selection by the Texas School Board: the local school districts (Independent School Districts) do not have the power to choose their own textbooks. I think the original motivation for centralization was to save local school districts money by buying in very large quantities (hence the need for the Texas School Book Depository). It has been co-opted for other goals. I'm pretty sure that some ISD's would be more than glad to get out from under the thumb of the Texas School Board.

[AuBricker]

You put your finger on the defect in textbook selection by the Texas School Board: the local school districts (Independent School Districts) do not have the power to choose their own textbooks. I think the original motivation for centralization was to save local school districts money by buying in very large quantities (hence the need for the Texas School Book Depository). It has been co-opted for other goals. I'm pretty sure that some ISD's would be more than glad to get out from under the thumb of the Texas School Board.

Because of the vast quantity of textbooks Texas purchases in the manner, the state impacts negatively on the quality of textbooks available to public schools in the remaining states. (Sorry for use of "impacts" as a verb.) Many textbooks publishers edit their wares to specifically cater to the very conservative Texas School Board). The Board determines the criteria on which students will be tested on mandatory annual standardized testing (NCLB), and textbooks are drafted to reflect this criteria. As the Board disapproves of certain concepts, they receive less attention in textbooks. For example, the Bib Bang, evolution, and the Expanding Universe receive less than diligent treatment in science texts. Certain literature is removed from reading primers. American Exceptionalism may be found in history books, but little on the topics of American Imperial or Isolationist Eras will be extrapolated. To show just one example of their political agenda, the Board has stated that Thurgood Marshall should be removed from the list of important Americans students would need to identify.

Because of the number of books ordered in mass by the Texas Board, teachers in other states receive fewer choices in book purchases. When I was a teacher, I submitted suggestions to a textbook committee of fellow teachers who, upon viewing my requests, would order books corresponding to my needs. On the rare occasions when financial conditions allowed, I could call publishers, ask for examination copies of various texts, select those most applicable to my classes' needs, and order them myself. My students greatly benefited as a result, but books were very expensive. One series of literature texts I ordered about 15 years ago cost over $50 per book, but it proved ideal for my students.