AUSTIN TEXAS As the State Board of Education (SBOE) this week prepares to take a final vote to approve updated curriculum standards for social studies members of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature issued their support for the members of the SBOE and for the updated curriculum standards.
State Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center) president of the Texas Conservative Coalition stated:
SBOE members have worked conscientiously and thoughtfully to produce social studies curriculum standards for public schools. Rep. Christian continued: The updated social studies standards are the product of nearly eighteen months of input from educators experts business and industry leaders parents the general public and State Board of Education members who were duly elected.
Nearly forty state legislators have signed a TCC letter supporting the updated social studies standards which were approved by the majority of the SBOE in March 2010. In the TCC letter members state their support for completing the review process and final adoption of the new balanced curriculum standards. The TCC letter to SBOE members reads in part: We would also like to confirm our support for final adoption of the TEKS for Social Studies at the conclusion of your State Board of Education meetings in May 2010. While no such document can ever be perfect we believe the final work product is a strong step in the right direction and will give students a fuller understanding of the roots of American history. Rep. Christian stated: The Legislature has charged the SBOE with establishing curriculum requirements and Texas voters have elected these Board members to
fulfill this role.
While some have attempted to delay or obstruct the final vote on the curriculum standards State Representative Rob Eissler (R-The Woodlands) chairman of the House Committee on Public Education and a signatory to the TCC letter called on the SBOE to proceed:
The updated standards present a balanced approach to American history and social studies and they will give students a solid understanding of the founding principles of our nation including the roots of our nations religious ethnic and philosophical heritage.
Rep. Christian concluded: Delaying a final vote on the updated curriculum standards would be a disservice to the voters who elected this Board to the members who have diligently served their state and to the hard work and dedication of the many people who have worked together to draft the updated standards. The State Board of Education has the full support of the Texas Conservative Coalition as they proceed with final adoption of the update curriculum standards which will provide Texas public school students with a well-rounded and full appreciation of American history and social studies.
