Dive Brief:
- The Texas state Board of Education is considering new textbooks for the state's five million public school students and the review process is getting heated.
- A proposed social studies book for the 2014-15 school year is raising ire on both sides of the aisle: Academics on the left believe it over-emphasizes the effect of Christian values on the founding fathers, and conservatives on the right believe certain chapters perpetuate a liberal bias.
- The board is holding a public hearing on the book Tuesday and will cast its final votes in November.
Dive Insight:
This is not the first time Texas has seen public outcry over a textbook. Last month we looked at four textbook controversies and TWO of them occurred in the Lone Star State. In one instance, Texas oil and gas advocates challenged an environmental science textbook, while the other saw creationists bemoan a biology book. What's unique about this current situation is the disdain coming from both sides.