Controversial Textbook is Approved by Texas Board of Education

The Texas Board of Education just approved a new textbook to be published and released in schools in May of this year.  It has sprung controversy within the state of Texas and nationwide as well.  People fear that it will not only affect students in Texas, but it will also affect students in the country as a whole because people feel that it has restructured education standards.  Historians discredit the textbook and say that the content is not accurate.  The Washington Post wrote an article touching on historian's take on the issue: "The curriculum plays down the role of Thomas Jefferson among the founding fathers, questions the separation of church and state, and claims that the U.S. government was infiltrated by Communists during the Cold War." According to a lot of historians, this book is taking a wrong turn and does not measure valid information from American history.  Another source stated that the textbook is biasly for Conservatives in order to make up for the changes liberals made while they were in power in DC.  Texas State Board of Education member Don McLeroy wrote in USA Today last March. “The left’s principles are diametrically opposed to our founding principles. The left believes in big, not limited, government; they empower the state, not the individual; they focus on differences, not unity.”  This textbook is said to focus on religion in American history and presidents that were conservative (such as Ronald Regan) but not presidents that were liberal (such as Ted Kennedy).

I believe it is important to present history to students in an unbias fashion.  Students who are influenced by teachers do not have the same opportunities to learn about their own genuine values if they are persuaded or manipulated a certain direction.  This textbook has caused turbulence in an already fragile education system and the book is not even published yet, it has only been approved to be published.  I do not agree with it being brought into school in Texas because there is already baggage and uneasiness affiliated the textbook.  The Texas Board of Education has a big responsibility to reach out to all students equally.  If this textbook makes any students feel targeted or uncomfortable with the information given, or not given, it will take away from their learning experience.