The Texas School Board adopted a new social studies curriculum last week. Most members of the Board are Republicans and the new curriculum reflects more conservative views of American history.
Civil rights movements, slavery, and the UN are many areas which have been watered down. More liberal Texans as well as people all around the country have been angered by these changes because they feel it discourages kids from thinking critically as well as skewing national history. The board wanted to highlight the Judeo-Christian backgrounds of the founding fathers and they did not want to change B.C. and A.D. to B.C.E and C.E.
Texas's changes may affect other states as well, because textbook companies will have to change their information to fit Texas's curriculum.
I thought this was an interesting article because it kind of shows how the conservative/liberal debates aren't just in politics, they're in education too. It's actually kind of frustrating that that is happening because the 2 shouldn't have to overlap. I don't mind a more conservative curriculum and I would definitely be disappointed if they change Before Christ to Before the Common Era, but I understand that everyone has different beliefs and they should all be represented.
Click here for the article in the Washington Times.
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