Bill White derides Texas education board's actions
08:57 AM CDT on Saturday, April 17, 2010
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Whiteon Friday joined in the criticism of the State Board of Education for its version of new curriculum standards for history and other social studies classes.
Speaking to several hundred teachers, White attacked Gov. Rick Perryand his appointed chair of the education board as he called for a new direction in public education in the state.
Referring to the months of heated debate over the curriculum standards, White said, "Wouldn't it be great to have a governor who appointed a State Board of Education chair who understood that you ought to leave the curriculum to professionals?"
His reference was to a bloc of social conservative Republicans on the board, including chairwoman Gail Lowe, who have rejected many of the recommendations of teachers and academics who were appointed to write new curriculum standards for Texas schools – subject to board approval. Perry appointed Lowe as chairwoman in July.
The changes made by the board – many reflecting a more conservative and religious view of U.S. history – have aroused opposition from educators and lawmakers in Texas and other states.
Many states will wind up with those standards as publishers often market textbooks geared for Texas across the nation.
"Help me tell the rest of the nation that Texas is better than some of the actions taken by our State Board of Education," White said in urging teachers to support him at the annual convention of the Texas