Texas Library Association Resolution on State Curriculum Standards
Whereas, The Texas State Board of Education recently gave initial approval for the state’s new social studies curriculum, and the Board approved a document that contained several changes from the proposal submitted by educators; and
Whereas, The changes proposed by Board members have garnered national attention,and many educator groups believe that the proposed changes (some of which have been incorporated) degrade the quality of historical balance and accuracy; and
Whereas, Texas is one of the two largest markets for textbooks (and the largest currently adopting new standards), and the decisions finalized on the social studies curriculum will affect other markets, as publishers determine what editions they will produce; and
Whereas, The full curriculum standards will be posted on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website for review by mid-April, and the public will then have a 30-day window to comment on the proposed standards; and
Whereas, The TEA can revise those standards based on public comment and then send revised rules back to the Texas State Board of Education for a final vote; and
Whereas, The Texas Library Association (TLA) believes strongly that education is best achieved by a broad and balanced approach and that few things are more fundamental to
a child’s perception and understanding of history and life than the views reflected in primary textbook materials; and
Whereas, For this reason, curriculum standards must be the product of a deliberative and rigorous process that relies on the best trained professionals – educators and those with
specialized knowledge of the field—and the input of the public; and
Whereas, The Texas Library Association maintains that such curriculum standards should promote the most comprehensive, accurate, and balanced assessment of the
topical area under question; and
Whereas, State Board members nominated educators and others to advise on the creation of standards, with an extended review process that occurred during the drafting stage of
the proposed social studies curriculum to insure balance; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Texas Library Association urges educators and interested members of the public to respond during the comment period of the newly approved draft of social studies standards and to contact the State Board of Education members and elected officials; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Texas Library Association urges the State Board of Education to approve the social studies curriculum standards drafted by educational professionals and knowledgeable parties and to rely on the collective judgment of educators when
determining specific content areas; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Texas Library Association urges the State Board of Education to assure that the children of Texas benefit from professionally-crafted and balanced textbooks free of any influence outside of the educational arena.
Adopted by the Texas Library Association Executive Board
[3.26.2010.--The six [ALA] councilors from Texas serving on the ALA
Council are all transmitting this message to the ALA Council for your
information. We are sending this message as representative of Texans
joining together and concerned for the children’s right to accurate,
comprehensive, and balanced educational materials.
Thanks,
Rosie Albritton
Carlyn Gray
Ling Hwey Jeng
Eva Poole
John Sandstrom
Patricia Smith].
The “No Child Left Behind” law has failed to truly improve the performance of most students. What is needed is a new accountability policy that uses broader measures of learning and addresses the stubborn achievement gap between groups of students.
education since 2000: the number of out-of-school children dropped sharply, primary education forged ahead by 36% in Sub-Saharan Africa, 14 countries abolished primary school fees. But 72 million children are still deprived of school around the world, and 18 million more teachers are needed by 2015. 
