Legislative Advertising by Texas Eagle Forum, P.O. Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379.

Now is the Time to Set the Record Straight
by Becky Armstrong

Eagle Forum is involved in a rapidly growing effort to inform Texans about the textbook review process and the upcoming November 2002 adoption of the new K-12 History, Social Studies and Economics textbooks for the state of Texas. We are looking for volunteers to help review just one textbook.

Here is why we need your help:

A March 15, 2002 article printed in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reveals what State Board of Education member Mary Helen Berlanga thinks about groups like Texas Eagle Forum:

"There are groups of extremists that have come around every year who want to censor textbooks," Berlanga said. "I am concerned that they will attempt to rewrite history and ignore the facts."

Berlanga specifically accused conservative groups such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Eagle Forum of pushing racist, sexist and extreme agendas on Texas public school students.

Let's set the record straight about what conservative groups such as Texas Eagle Forum do and do not want in regards to History textbooks in Texas schools:

• We want to ensure our children receive factual information. We do not want to rewrite history.
  
• We want to improve the quality of textbooks. We do not want to censor textbooks.

We want to work together with parents, educators, publishers and elected officials to ensure that textbooks adhere to the Texas Education Code: Ch 28, SubchA, Sec 28.002, which states,

"A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to prepare thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise society with an appreciation for the basic democratic values of our state and national heritage" (underlining added for emphasis).

Simply put, we want history textbooks to provide our Texas school children with a good, complete understanding of where our American freedoms come from and to instill in them a newfound sense of appreciation for the great country and state in which we live.

This is not an unreasonable request!

If you are tired of people like SBOE Member Mary Helen Berlanga who call groups like Texas Eagle Forum racist or sexist, now is your chance to help us set the record straight.

Now is the time to have a positive impact on education. Now is the time to stop complaining about what our children learn in schools; now is the time to do something about it!

ACTION ITEM:
Join the Working Partners for Textbook Review by reviewing just one textbook. Please contact Becky Armstrong by phone (512) 341-3705 or by email becky@texaseagle.org if you would like more information. Please respond ASAP.

All reviewers will receive a helpful information packet to guide them through the review process. May 24th is the final day for reviewers to turn in initial comments on textbooks and June 10th is the Last day for Texas residents to file written comments and register to appear for the July 17, 2002, SBOE public hearing.

Source:
"Berlanga Seeks Aid in Book Battle" by Tim Eaton - Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1031777,00.html