What the state incorporates into its standards can have nationwide
significance because publishers often look to Texas, as well as California—the
two biggest adoption states—when writing textbooks.
Some people questioned whether all the experts had the credentials to judge
social studies standards.
Mr. Marshall wrote, “To have Cesar Chavez listed next to Ben Franklin is
ludicrous. Chavez is hardly the kind of role model that ought to be held up to
our children as someone worthy of emulation.”
Weighing Gravitas
They used the word “include” in the standards to mark a historical person
students would be required to learn about and the phrase “such as” to mark
someone teachers could choose to mention in their lessons, without requiring it.
Texas textbooks influence the entire US History curriculum around the country. What do you think the effect of Texas' changes will be to history as American students understand it?