AUSTIN ― Parents, teachers and activists sounded off Wednesday in a textbook showdown.
The Texas Board of Education is debating the future of education ― including how much religion should be in new social studies books.
More than 150 people including parents and state legislators signed up to speak Wednesday before the board.
Specifically, changes to the social studies curriculum brought many of those parents out.
Some fear the state will bar teachers from explaining contributions to Texas and U.S. history made by Hispanic civil rights icons including Cesar Chavez. Others are worried the state will delete all references to Christmas and Christian principles in future textbooks.
They contend the state might adopt a curriculum they call “un-American."
Some board members tried to calm those fears, while many parents believed those concerns were valid.
"This board has specifically directed the review teams to retain instruction on Christmas as one of the important religious holidays in the sixth grade class,” said Gail Lowe, Texas Board of Education chairwoman. “I don't think we have any interest in removing Christmas from our standards."
"How can you go too Pro-American? I mean, that's not understandable to me,” said Jason Moore, a parent from Odessa. “As I said, the worst day in America is better than the worst day in another country."
Board members will meet again Thursday to discuss the proposals further. They’ll take a preliminary vote on Friday. Final adoption of any changes will come in March.
