Evening Buzz: Texas Textbook Showdown
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Tonight we look at the battle over what public schools should be teaching your kids. In Texas today the state's board of education approved a new social studies curriculum that conservatives say is meant to correct for a liberal bias among the teachers who initially drafted the standards. The vote came after days of charged debate.
Tom Foreman is following the debate. He's got a look at what may be and out of textbooks.
Out: calling the U.S. government "Democratic". In: Calling it a "Constitutional Republic." Also out: too much talk about Thomas Jefferson and the enlightenment, which stressed reasoning and science over blind faith. Also In: More recognition of the contributions of religious leaders, like Moses.
All of this matters, because with almost five million students in Texas, the state buys a lot of textbooks that could determine what publishers put out for America's other school children. Though, in this digital age, that is not as big of a concern as in past years.
What do you think of the decisions? Weigh in below.
Tonight we'll also wrap up our special series "Homicide in Hollenbeck". We have more on the special mission of a priest in East L.A. helping gang members leave the bloodshed. You'll also hear from actor/activist Martin Sheen who's helping with the cause.
We also have an update on "The Dating Game" serial killer. He was Bachelor One on the 70's hit reality show and a photographer who took many pictures of women and children. The question tonight is were any of the people in the photos his victims? Police need your help. We'll give you the latest on the case.
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Hi Maureen Miller,
Okay, so as a foreigner I got too excited in my previous comment writing about all the exciting events that happened to this nation thinking that everyone would be just as excited learning about them as I was.
I guess sadly teaching history in America is about pleasing the Conservatives or the Liberals not about learning all the excting events that impacted this nation both State and Religious that made this nation the wonderful nation that it is thus everyone worldwide trying to live in this country.
Texas is awesome! The doctrine of separation of church and state is intended to ensure that our secular government guarantee religious freedom. It is not intended to be a rhetorical tool used to justify the banning of any mention of religion in the secular sphere. There are many people of faith that have contributed and continue to contribute to our great nation. To deny this is to rewrite history which is exactly what our schools have done for far too long. Texas is moving closer to real education and further from coercive indoctrination by correcting this trend. This move alone will not convert anyone to be a person of faith as many seem to fear but will instead lead to a more tolerant and educated population that will benefit the state well into the future. God bless Texas!