They’re in the classroom everyday, working closely with students, yet teachers say their opinions are not being heard as school board leaders in Texas debate what should be written in the textbooks. \u00a0 “They should have a say in this, but they’re being ignored….They have become disillusioned” says Texas AFT president Linda Bridges. \u00a0Often times, Bridges says, the material taught in the textbooks doesn’t match what’s on state tests students are given, so there’s a disconnect. \u00a0 AFT members are expected to voice their concerns at the school board hearings in the Lone Star state on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Meantime, as teachers, educational leaders and politicians across the country watch the battle heat up, surprisingly some of those most affected by the outcome had no idea the Board of Education hearings were even taking place. \u00a0At Pease elementary school in Austin, just a few blocks away from where the hearings are taking place, many parents told us they weren’t aware there was any talk of changes made to the standards in the textbooks their children would receive in school. \u00a0One father said “I’m not worried about it. \u00a0The school board knows what its doing and I’ll support whatever decisions they make”.<\/p>\n
Among those few parents who say they have been following the issues, the main concern was that those with certain political agendas would have the last word in the Texas textbook debate. \u00a0Click here so see comments from parents.<\/p>\n