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Texas Matters: Politics In The Classroom & Sam Houston's Final Days

Pixabay (Public Domain)

On this episode of "Texas Matters," we look at:

  • Politics in the classroom
  • Sam Houston’s Last Days (12:06)

Politics In The Classroom

The State Board of Education this year will be rewriting the social studies curriculum standards for Texas public schools. Curriculum standards outline what students are taught in each course and grade, directly impacting 5.4 million students, their quality of education and their future in a world where education is the key to success.

These standards are set by a 15-member elected body, with seven of the seats up for election right now. 

The Texas Freedom Network, a left leaning watchdog of the State Board of Education, released a report this week that points out misinformation that the board inserted into the curriculum eight years ago, which was the last time the social studies curriculum was revised.

Kathy Miller is the president of the Texas Freedom Network, which released a report titled “Get Politics Out of the Classrooms.” The report calls for the board to listen to history experts when it decides on social studies curriculum. The vote on the revisions is in November.

Sam Houston’s Last Days

Sam Houston was a larger than life figure who played no small role in creating the Texas we know today.

He was a powerful force in the fight for Texas independence from Mexico and the presidency as a republic. But when it came time for Houston to play a leadership role in a Texas secession, the Confederacy and in the Civil War, he walked away.

Why did Houston refuse to take Loyalty Oath of the Confederacy? Find out on this episode of "Texas Matters."

David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org or on Twitter @DavidMartinDavi

David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi