Source: HoustonPublicMedia.org

The Texas State Board of Education is hearing public testimony on advocate and professor Tony Diaz’s book “The Mexican American Studies Toolkit,” one of two ethnic studies textbook proposals submitted in response to the board’s request last November. Last year, the board rejected a different proposal for a Mexican-American studies textbook after advocates and academics vehemently decried it as error-ridden and racist, putting Texas in the national spotlight yet again for textbook-related controversy. The board will also hear public testimony on a Jewish studies book Wednesday. The publishers have several opportunities to respond to any critiques or fix any errors, before the board votes on both books this November. A preliminary deadline for Texas Education Agency staff to provide board members with reports about the books was pushed to next week, because of Hurricane Harvey.