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Local School Districts Could Get Final Say On Textbooks
February 17, 2014
Contending that school districts have a “constitutional duty to decide what materials best suit their classrooms,” a Senate Republican filed a bill that would revamp the way textbooks and other materials are approved in Florida.
Bill sponsor Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, said the bill would eliminate the statewide adoption of textbooks and other materials and give the responsibility to school districts.
Also, the proposal would set up a process for local committees to review and recommend materials to school boards and also would create an appeals process for the public.
“Local school districts, not the state or federal government, are the most qualified to determine what textbooks are appropriate for Florida’s classrooms,” Hays said in a prepared statement.
by The News Service of Florida
Comments
7 Responses to “Local School Districts Could Get Final Say On Textbooks”
So, how does all the hoopla of “Common Core” get satisfied if districts are allowed to make their own decisions on textbooks?
Depending on which side of the Common Core / FCAT / “New-Cat” (whatever the “branding” of the new testing is called) one is, this could be good as far as allowing for independence grassroots decision making or it could be a loose sail in admissions testing and qualifications for college or other admissions and preparation.
Always be wary when lawmakers get their hands and hangnails into education and determining “what is best for the citizens”.
Tighten up the screws on schools then suddenly throw open the gate….
Help….
Text books should include themes that promote multiculturalism, inclusiveness and tolerance.
There is nothing wrong with Mr. Hayes proposal to delegate authority to the districts regarding textbook acquisition, providing they meet state standards of content and the state provides oversight.
On the other hand a great disadvantage of non standardization across state school districts is increased cost.
Chris — your conclusion is based on an inaccurate premise. The ones who adopt the textbooks know what state requirements are. The textbooks chosen would be better-suited for our district’s students, but yet the books would be contingent upon what is state-required.
Just as long as it does not turn into another Texas debacle as they have done with rewriting their science curriculum to support their own personal views. rejecting Darwinism and questioning the Founding Fathers commitment to a secular government. As they have done with expunging Thomas Jefferson’s views from their history text books. Slippery slope
This is a strange argument. Basically Hays is saying that students in Escambia county need not study what students in Santa Rosa county study and that Okaloosa county could be different from both of them. This would place the students at a disadvantage when they take college entrance exams and when they go to college and are expected to have mastered certain core subjects. Adoption of Hays’ idea would result in chaos in the education system.
Good for Rep. Hays. Now if the legislature would give local control to the dristricts fot the other parts of the education of our children. Way too many mandates from Tallahassee that have nothing to do with what needs to happen in the classroom. Can you say test this test, test that, merit pay, unequal distribution of tax money etc…. One can only hope.
Amen to this. Who knows our kids better than the local teachers and district leaders themselves? The state and federal government need to trust those they have put into these positions. We do not need a one-size-fits-all approach for curriculum or textbooks.