Tx Bd of Ed: Social Studies Controversy Continues

The circus is back in Austin. The State Board of Education is meeting to finalize social studies standards. The controversy rages (or doesn't) depending upon your point of view...

Some folks are convinced that The Faction on the Board are scheming to keep minorities out of the social studies curriculum, especially Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall. Others are convinced that liberals are scheming to kick Christmas out of the social studies curriculum. Gail Lowe, the chairwoman, kicks off the hearing by pointing out that no Board members are proposing that (more than 100 citizens have signed up to speak about the issue, and press coverage leading up to the hearing has been heavy). She also announces that the hearing will end promptly at 6:00 pm.

Kathy Miller of the Texas Freedom Network takes her time to respond to the accusation that her group is pushing for an elimination of the mention of Christianity as a factor involved in the culture of the United States.

Other speakers include those pressing for more recognition for the role of the Texas Navy during Texas' war for independence, those wanting more coverage of an extensive, but short-lived rebellion against Spain that started in Texas in 1812, those wanting better coverage of Sikhism and the Sikh religion, and many more.

First break is called not even 2 hours into the session, at 11:00 am. Not sure how many they'll get through, given that it took them this time to get through the first four agenda items and 11 speakers.