[[link removed]]
gradingthetextbooks.org [gradingthetextbooks.org]
Hi John,
Texas has a long history of political battles over what schools can and can’t teach about climate change and evolution — and at the end of this month, the State Board of Education (SBOE) will meet to review a list of science textbooks for school districts in Texas. In November, they'll vote on which books to adopt.
The Texas Freedom Network Education Fund and the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) asked a panel of expert scientists and educators to evaluate how well the textbooks submitted to the SBOE by publishers address climate change and evolution. Read the joint report at gradingthetextbooks.org [gradingthetextbooks.org] .
Read the report [gradingthetextbooks.org]
Key takeaways from the report:
*
The
majority
of
the
textbooks
reviewed
in
the
report
conform
to
the
state
science
standards
and
rules
adopted
by
the
SBOE.
Some
materials
exceed
them.
*
Despite
this,
we
expect
right-wing
extremists,
creationists,
and
climate
change
deniers
on
the
board
to
politicize
the
discussion,
argue
against
adapting
these
textbooks,
and
make
blatantly
false
claims
that
they
don't
meet
the
standards.
*
The
current
state
standards
set
the
bar
extremely
low
for
teaching
on
climate
change
and
evolution
—
making
any
objections
board
members
might
make
all
the
more
shameless.
Why it all matters:
Texas is one of the country’s largest markets for public school textbooks, meaning the materials adopted by the SBOE this year will inform how children across the country (not just in Texas!) learn about climate change and its effect on their future. Children must be able to learn science accurately, honestly, and thoroughly so that they can take the steps needed to curb the crisis they’re inheriting.
In solidarity,
[[link removed]]
Val Benavidez (she/her/ella)
TFN President
P.S. If you agree that the SBOE shouldn't politicize the science textbook adoption process, can you pledge to testify at the meeting on the 29th? [[link removed]] We'll provide talking points and support you along the way! If you can't make it in person, fill out the form to receive additional information on contacting your representative from anywhere.
Donate to the Rapid Response Fund [[link removed]]
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TFN is a statewide non-partisan, grassroots organization that is building an informed and effective movement working toward equality and social justice.
Texas Freedom Network
P.O. Box 1624
Austin, TX 78767
United States
Phone: (512) 322-0545
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