State Board Will Cast A Preliminary Vote On New History Textbooks

Five stories that have North Texas talking: the debate over new textbooks in Texas classrooms continues, how schools are coping with demographic changes, four photojournalists recount the Kennedy assassination, and more.

The Texas State Board of Education will have a preliminary vote today over which history and social studies textbooks will make it to classrooms statewide.

The 15-member board has more than 100 textbooks to consider, the Associated Press reports. Some academics and activists have criticized the books for exaggerating biblical figures on American democracy and downplaying the human role in climate change. On the other hand, some conservative experts say the books are too politically correct and ignore connections between radical Islam and modern terrorism.

Others have objected to outdated terminology the textbooks use to describe other religions. Manpreet Singh told The Texas Tribune she found at least 40 errors in the way the books covered the Sikh religion, saying the description of the religion as a blend of Hinduism and Islam is absolutely false.

The board's 10 Republicans and five Democrats are expecting to hear more public testimony before they vote.

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State Board Will Cast A Preliminary Vote On New History Textbooks