AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Activists and educators say a Mexican-American studies textbook proposed for use across Texas is biased and poorly researched.
They argued Monday that its contents are especially offensive in a state where 52 percent of public school students are Hispanic.
Democrats, who are outnumbered 10-5 on Texas’ Board of Education, pushed unsuccessfully two years ago to create a full Mexican-American studies program.
Instead, publishers were asked only to submit textbooks on a variety of ethnic studies topics that the board could consider for use beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year.
Texas got one submission: A publisher offered a textbook titled “Mexican American Heritage.”
But the book is now being decried as racist and inaccurate by many of the same advocates who had wanted a broader Mexican-American studies course.
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