(Austin Texas)-College students are taking sides in the battle over Texas textbooks. Dozens of students from the University of Texas marched to the William B. Travis building, where the state board of education is meeting and taking public comment on proposed changes to textbook and curriculum standards. While these students wouldn’t be using any of the textbooks in question, they say they want to help raise public awareness of the issue. “I’m a product of the Texas public school system so I feel like its my civic duty to get involved” says student protestor Melessa Rodriguez. “We’re concerned that the far right members on the state board are trying to force their personal and political agendas on the children of Texas” says Garrett Mize of the group Students for a Smarter State Board of Education. Jonathan Saenz, of the Liberty Institute, says politics does not play a part in this. “The Board of Education is making common sense decision. These are Texas values, these are American values. It doesn’t matter what party you’re a part of” he says.
The Texas Board of Education, which is made up of ten Republicans and five Democrats, is expected to make its final decision in May. Click here to see video of the student protest: