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State Board Adopts Conservative Social Studies Lessons

By KERA News & Wire Services

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-903488.mp3

Dallas, TX – With votes of 9-5 the Texas State Board of Education has adopted more conservative social studies and history guidelines for Texas primary and high schools students.

The high school standards have been given a more conservative bent by the board. They dictate how political events and figures will be taught to some 4.8 million schoolchildren in Texas and beyond for the next decade.

The standards also will be used by textbook publishers who often develop materials for other states based on those approved in Texas.

The debate has brought national attention, including testimony from educators, civil rights leaders and a former U.S. education secretary.

Reporter Nathan Bernier from KUT in Austin filed the attached public radio report.