Textbooks v. laptops: What should Texas do?
Editor's Note: Geraldine "Tincy" Miller is the Texas State Board of Education member for District 12, in Dallas.
Recently, a plan was discussed to transition our public schools' from printed textbooks to electronic materials. Although some state leaders prefer moving in this direction, I would urge that it not be a top-down approach or a cost-shifting strategy for the state. And most importantly, I would insist that the quality of the materials be the central focus of any change.
Educators need to lead any such transition, not the state. When college students have the option of choosing between e-books and printed textbooks, they overwhelmingly choose the printed textbook because it is easier to read and reference. Therefore, our parents, educators and local textbook committees and school boards should have some say over the format as well.
Moving to an entirely electronic format is a major change for schools. Each district will have to figure out the total cost of buying the devices, training teachers, setting up the devices, making sure they work for blind students, maintaining, insuring and protecting them from theft and damage, and providing uninterrupted internet connectivity with internet filters. These are all new costs that must be addressed at a time when school districts
Recently, a plan was discussed to transition our public schools' from printed textbooks to electronic materials. Although some state leaders prefer moving in this direction, I would urge that it not be a top-down approach or a cost-shifting strategy for the state. And most importantly, I would insist that the quality of the materials be the central focus of any change.
Educators need to lead any such transition, not the state. When college students have the option of choosing between e-books and printed textbooks, they overwhelmingly choose the printed textbook because it is easier to read and reference. Therefore, our parents, educators and local textbook committees and school boards should have some say over the format as well.
Moving to an entirely electronic format is a major change for schools. Each district will have to figure out the total cost of buying the devices, training teachers, setting up the devices, making sure they work for blind students, maintaining, insuring and protecting them from theft and damage, and providing uninterrupted internet connectivity with internet filters. These are all new costs that must be addressed at a time when school districts