March 12, 2010
Terrence Stutz
AUSTIN, Texas – In a move that is expected to inject more conservative-friendly language in school textbooks across the nation, the Texas Board of Education passed new curriculum standards for U.S. history and other social studies courses Friday.

The board’s influence extends beyond the state because Texas is the one of the largest purchasers of school textbooks in the United States, The New York Times reports.

The tentatively approved curriculum would, among other things, question the assumption that the Founding Father’s wanted a secular government and tout the superiority of American capitalism. The board also consistently voted down attempts to include more references to Hispanic role models in American history.

The vote came after three days of intense debate, with a final skirmish over how to teach the Battle of the Alamo.

Board members tentatively approved the new standards 11-4 after three fractious days of debate that touched on civil rights, religion, politics, music and a host of other topics that will be covered in the new requirements for classroom instruction and textbooks.

Four of the five minority members on the board opposed the long list of standards, citing in particular the inadequate coverage of blacks and Hispanics in U.S. and Texas history.

Read the full article at hispanicbusiness.com