"Texas Education Board Sparks Controversy with Climate Change Messaging in Science Textbooks"

The Texas State Board of Education, controlled by Republicans, rejected seven out of 12 proposed science textbooks for eighth graders that included information on climate change. The board largely rejected the books because they contained policy solutions for climate change or were produced by companies with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. Some textbooks were also rejected for not adhering well to the state's curriculum standards. The decision has raised concerns about the state's ability to attract publishers and provide proper materials to students. Texas is one of the few states that does not use the Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize the reality and severity of climate change caused by humans. Critics argue that the approved curriculum requirements do not go far enough in teaching students about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.