White urges Perry to get state board to revisit social studies curriculum
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/23/2061907/white-urges-perry-to-get-state.html#ixzz0jDG7lTmc
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White on Tuesday said he wants Gov. Rick Perry to ask State Board of Education Chairwoman Gail Lowe to send the controversial social studies curriculum revisions back to the committees where the proposals started.
The board's work on the standards has brought national attention. Critics worry the changes will affect textbooks offered nationwide because of the volume of Texas' purchases.
The 15-member board is set to give final approval to the changes in May. They voted 10-5 to give their preliminary approval earlier this month.
"Individual school board members are no doubt sincere in their beliefs, and some of the changes can be debated by reasonable people. But, under the leadership of another extreme Rick Perry appointee, the amendment process injected politics into our school books and classrooms," White said it a statement. "That is a step in the wrong direction, requiring leadership from our Governor."
The committees where White wants the revisions returned were comprised of educators from throughout the state. Those committees sent proposals to the state board. Board members then considered more than 300 amendments to that work at their meetings in January and March.
Confident with process
Perry seemed unlikely to fill White's request.
"The Governor is confident in the process that is in place and it is the same process that has been used in the past," said Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for the Governor's re-election campaign. She also criticized White's suggestion.
"It's clear from his statement that Bill White doesn't have any understanding of this process. Members of
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/23/2061907/white-urges-perry-to-get-state.html#ixzz0jDG7lTmc
