Tag

Textbooks

All articles tagged with #textbooks

education2 years ago

Texas School Board Rejects Climate Textbooks, Approves Fossil Fuel-Friendly Alternatives

Texas's Republican-controlled education board voted against including several climate textbooks in the state science curriculum for eighth-graders. The rejected textbooks were criticized for their negative portrayal of fossil fuels, a major industry in the state. Despite Texas adopting standards that require teaching the basics of climate change, some argue that the measure does not go far enough. The decision also contested the inclusion of lessons on evolution. Texas is one of six states that has not adopted the Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize the reality of climate change and its human causes.

education2 years ago

Controversy over climate change messaging in Texas science textbooks

The Texas State Board of Education has approved new science textbooks but faced divisions over how to address climate change and fossil fuels. Some Republican board members criticized certain textbooks for being too negative towards fossil fuels in the state. The board voted to reject textbooks from one publisher that included a lesson on climate change, while other publishers were asked to make changes to content related to energy, fossil fuels, and evolution. The decision highlights ongoing curriculum battles in Texas, where the state's textbook choices can influence what students learn in other states.

education2 years ago

"Mexican Parents Torch Textbooks in Fiery Protest Against Gender Ideology and Communism"

Christian groups in Mexico have organized protests against the Ministry of Public Education, with parents burning textbooks they believe contain "Marxist-communist" indoctrination and sexual and gender ideology content. Over 12,000 people attended the protests, and over 112,000 signatures were collected in a petition to stop the distribution of the textbooks. Mexican President López Obrador dismissed the claims, stating that parents are "misinformed and manipulated" and that the textbooks were prepared by teachers and experts.

education2 years ago

"Mexican Parents Torch Textbooks in Fiery Protest Against Gender Ideology"

Christian groups in Mexico have organized protests against the Ministry of Public Education, with parents burning textbooks they believe contain "Marxist-communist" indoctrination. Over 12,000 people attended the protests, and petitions with over 112,000 signatures were collected demanding the distribution of the textbooks be stopped. Mexican President López Obrador dismissed the claims, stating that the outrage was due to "politicking" and that the textbooks were prepared by teachers and experts.

education2 years ago

"Putin's Propaganda: Rewriting History to Justify the War in Ukraine"

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government has released a new history textbook that promotes a revisionist view of Russian history, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. The textbook extols the Soviet Union, including Joseph Stalin, and presents Putin as a savior of the country. It accuses the West of instigating the war and portrays Russia as defending itself. Critics argue that the textbook is propaganda and indoctrination, lacking multiple perspectives and promoting a Stalinesque version of history. Teachers fear repercussions for opposing the textbook, and Ukraine has condemned its use in occupied regions.

science2 years ago

Redefining the Origins of Life: Scientists Challenge Textbook Narratives

A new study published in the journal Geobiology suggests that the prevailing theory taught in science textbooks about the role of oxygen in the development and evolution of complex life on Earth may be incorrect. The study, based on evidence from ancient rock samples, indicates that there was likely less oxygen in the oceans during the era when life began to evolve and become more complex than previously believed. While oxygen is still believed to have played a role in the evolution of life, the study challenges the extent of its influence.

education2 years ago

"Newsom Takes Action to Support Harvey Milk Curriculum in Temecula School District"

California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to take action against the Temecula Valley Unified School District for rejecting textbooks that included references to LGBTQ icon Harvey Milk. Newsom stated that the state would purchase the books itself and fine the district for violating state law. The controversy arose when the school board president referred to Milk as a "pedophile," sparking outrage and protests. Newsom criticized the board's decision and vowed to ensure that students have the necessary instructional materials. The district has stated that the textbooks themselves do not mention Milk, but he is referenced in supporting materials for upper-grade students. The board fired the district superintendent in response to the controversy.

education2 years ago

California Implements Alternative Learning Materials After Textbook Cancellation by Temecula School Board

The Temecula Valley Unified School District in Southern California will receive social studies books from the state to replace the textbooks that were canceled by three far-right school board members who objected to a mention of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the board's actions and announced the state's intervention, following Twitter scoldings and a civil rights investigation. The state is pushing for legislation that would fine districts for failing to provide inclusive and diverse materials, and would make it harder for school boards to remove books. The bill has encountered opposition but has gained support from state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.

obituary2 years ago

Remembering Frank Shu: A Pioneer in Astrophysics.

Chinese American astrophysicist Frank Hsia-San Shu, known for his contributions to the understanding of galaxies and star formation, has passed away at the age of 79. Shu was awarded the Shaw Prize in astronomy in 2009 and authored two widely consulted textbooks. Later in life, he investigated energy technologies to combat the climate crisis. Shu's work on density-wave theory allowed predictions of spiral-galaxy properties to be derived from first principles and was used to study the gravitational stability and structure of many astrophysical objects.

education2 years ago

Florida's Controversial Rejection of Social Studies Content and Textbooks

Florida's Department of Education rejected nearly 35% of social studies textbooks submitted by publishers for approval, including those that referenced social justice and "other information that was not aligned with Florida Law." The move comes as Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have made widespread efforts to restrict how racism and history are taught in schools. The examples of rejected material include references to taking a knee, social justice, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Critics argue that the decision restricts students' access to information and ideas and erases important historical facts.

education2 years ago

Florida Takes a Hard Stance on Social Studies Textbooks

Florida education officials have rejected dozens of social studies textbooks and approved 66 of 101 submissions after publishers made revisions requested by the state. Changes made by publishers included removing references to the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement, changing a question mentioning "social justice issues" in the Hebrew Bible to refer to "key principles," and altering descriptions of socialism and communism. The rejected materials included books on U.S. history, the Holocaust, psychology, and more. This is not the first time the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has intervened on matters of curriculum in K-12 education.

education2 years ago

Florida's Controversial Approvals and Rejections of Social Studies Textbooks.

The Florida Department of Education has approved a list of 66 social studies textbooks for K-12 schools after publishers made changes to comply with the state's "rigorous standards." The approval process comes as Governor Ron DeSantis has made pushing against "wokeness" in education a top priority. Examples of changes made to the textbooks include removing references to Black Lives Matter and George Floyd, and altering language around socialism. The state previously banned math textbooks for references to "prohibited topics" like critical race theory and social emotional learning.

education2 years ago

Florida's Controversial Approvals and Bans of K-12 Textbooks and Books on Social Issues

Florida's Department of Education has approved dozens of social studies textbooks for use in local schools after initially rejecting many over content the DeSantis administration found objectionable. Publishers in many cases tweaked the content in their books after an initial review from the state, according to the state’s education agency. The textbook adoption process for social studies was expected to face intense scrutiny in Florida following the state education agency denying dozens of proposed math textbooks last year for containing “impermissible” content, including lessons on critical race theory.

education2 years ago

Controversy Surrounds Florida's Social Studies Textbooks

Florida has rejected 35 social studies textbooks and edited dozens more, removing content on topics like the Black Lives Matter movement, socialism, and why some citizens "take a knee" during the national anthem. Governor Ron DeSantis has campaigned against what he describes as "woke indoctrination" in the classroom. The state's education department said that the rejected textbooks contained "inaccurate material, errors, and other information that was not aligned with Florida law." The approved list of social studies textbooks will have a significant impact on how history is taught to nearly 3 million Florida public school students.

education2 years ago

Florida's Controversial Textbook Decisions Spark Backlash.

The Florida Department of Education has removed mentions of the Black Lives Matter movement and the police murder of George Floyd from a textbook it reviewed, as part of the state's new policy that bans anything it deems an example of "Critical Race Theory." The state rejected 35% of the 101 social studies textbooks submitted to it by publishers and demanded changes to two-thirds of the textbooks it accepted, including the removal of a mention of athletes kneeling during the national anthem and revisions to a section on socialism in another book.