New Textbooks Available for Public’s Review; Input Encouraged
NASHVILLE—New K-12 social studies textbooks proposed for use in Tennessee public schools during the 2014-15 school year are on display in 10 district textbook collection sites located across the state.
As in past years, the public can review all textbooks at any time during the six-year adoption period, but public comments on the proposed social studies textbooks must be submitted by Sept. 11, 2013, to be considered by the publisher. Forms are available at each site for public input. The 10 textbook collection sites also house all the books on the approved list for all subject areas.
Morgan Branch, director of textbook services, encouraged parents, family members, educators, and the general public to visit the textbook sites and to participate in the review process. “It is very important for the public to have access to the textbooks under consideration," Branch said. “Our goal is to provide a wide variety of materials that enrich and support the curriculum and address students’ varied interests, abilities, and learning styles.”
In addition to citizen input, a state review committee of teachers is assisting the Tennessee Textbook Commission members with their evaluation of the textbooks. Commission members can also use the professional expertise of teachers in their local school systems.
After the commission’s Sept. 16, 2013, meeting, a workshop will be held for textbook publishers to respond to the reviews of their books and to answer questions from a representative panel of the reviewers and commission members. At their October 2013 meeting, commission members will vote on the new editions to recommend to the State Board of Education for the 2013 official list of textbooks, after which state board members will make the final decision on the official list. Local school systems can then choose which textbooks to adopt from the official state textbook list for a six-year period.
Citizens interested in reviewing the proposed social studies textbooks should contact the director of the textbook collection site in their area.
Public comments regarding the proposed social studies textbooks should be sent to Morgan Branch, director of textbook services, Tennessee Department of Education, 11th Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0379 by Sept. 11, 2013. Citizens with questions about the process may email Morgan.Branch@tn.gov or call (615) 253-3160.
For more information, please contact Kelli Gauthier at (615) 532-7817 or Kelli.Gauthier@tn.gov.