New science textbooks face budget snag

[sonias]

5/15/10
New science textbooks face budget snag
State Board of Education will decide whether to proceed with $1.4 billion plan or delay books

The $1.4 billion price tag for new science textbooks and other materials has been causing sticker shock among state officials bracing for the upcoming budget shortfall.

So, the State Board of Education on Tuesday must decide whether to push ahead despite the cost or delay the textbooks for at least a year to save the state money in the 2012-13 budget.

Legislators are anticipating a budget shortfall of $15 billion to $18 billion when they return to Austin in January to write the next two-year budget.

(snip)

One option the board will consider is keeping the existing textbooks for a little longer while providing students electronic supplements that would reflect the science curriculum standards approved by the board last year.

"It may be the best ugly solution out there," said board member David Bradley , R-Beaumont, who has been discussing the options with legislative leaders.

Oh this is rich. The budget crisis is going to save us from the SBOE's bad science and possibly the bad social studies recommendations they're about to pass too.

Well that's one way to look at this, anyway. The Texas Legislature didn't fund the books the last time we had this big of a budget crisis.

:kick:

[sonias]

1. State Board of Education should delay science textbook purchase

AAS Editorial 5/17/10
State Board of Education should delay science textbook purchase

Members of the State Board of Education determined to bend school curriculum to conform to their narrow views are deaf to experts in the field of science and social studies, oblivious to election results and impervious to reason.

(snip)
As the American-Statesman's Kate Alexander reported in Sunday's editions, the board could stick with the current textbooks and rely on electronic supplements.

The expensive new set of books reflects the science curriculum that the board adopted last year. After a contentious argument over how Darwin's theory of evolution should be taught, board members adopted a rather convoluted set of science curriculum standards.

(snip)
Even if the board's authority weren't being threatened, the Legislature could simply refuse to appropriate the money for the new books. That happened in 2003, another tight budget year.

The radicals on the board visit reality only occasionally, but they should take a look at the fiscal and political landscape and hold off on proceeding with the $1.4 billion book buy when the board meets today.

"The radicals on the board visit reality only occasionally..." :rofl: :spray:

[Vogon_Glory]

2. I Agree. Delay the Purchase

I agree. The state should avoid buying the books. If the SBOE won't block purchasing those school books, the Legislature should.

There's been little good that's come out of this recession, but blocking this folly may be one of them.

[mbperrin]

3. Whattashame!

Or not. ;)

[sonias]

4. Maybe there is a god

And he/she really doesn't like his fan club members (the SBOE) very much.