Tennessee education officials said Tuesday they are seeking public input on textbooks proposed for the 2012-13 school year.
The books involve the following subjects: visual arts, music, theater arts, dance, spelling, literature, driver education, computer science, health sciences education, business technology, marketing education, technology engineering, education and trade/industrial education. The textbooks are now on display in 10 district collection sites across Tennessee.
Those interested in reviewing the textbooks should contact the director of the textbook collection site in their area. Forms are available at each site for input and must be completed by Sept. 2.
“Our goal is to provide a wide variety of materials that enrich and support the curriculum and to address the varied interests, abilities and learning styles of students,” Morgan Branch, director of textbook services, said in a release
In addition to citizen input, a state review committee of 34 public school teachers will assist Tennessee Textbook Commission members with their evaluation of the textbooks. After the commission’s Sept. 12 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 from commission members.
Commission members will vote Oct. 11 on the new editions to be recommended to the Tennessee Board of Education for the 2011 official list of textbooks. Local school systems can then adopt textbooks from the official state textbook list for a six-year period.
Citizens with questions about the process may call Branch at 615-253-3160.