A Textbook Case Of Disaster

Via Memeorandum, Ahnold's budget axe means California schools may not be able to purchase new textbooks until 2016.

The state budget that closed a $24-billion gap last month dramatically reduced state spending for textbooks. The state Board of Education won't approve new books for kindergarten through eighth grade until January 2016 at the earliest, and districts have postponed approvals of new high school books as well. A state requirement that districts purchase books within two years of adoption has been waived until 2013.

Additionally, state funding previously earmarked solely for textbooks -- nearly $334 million this year -- can now be spent by school districts for other needs over the next four years, providing flexibility that educators say is essential at a time of severe budget reductions.

But the state's top educator fears these moves put students at a competitive disadvantage.

"We need modern, state-of-the-art textbooks, not outdated, antiquated textbooks," said state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. "It could be close to a generation before we see new textbooks."

Others say the decision by the state to postpone textbook adoption and by districts to put off purchases is understandable, although far from ideal.

"There is no really good decision," said David Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Assn., which represents 340,000 teachers and other school employees.

"For now this is a good thing, to help preserve some programs and certainly preserve some jobs. It's certainly not something we want to continue -- eventually, we have to get new textbooks."

I don't know about an entire generation, but it's very possible that the same textbooks being used in California's eight grade classrooms today will be the same ones kids born this year will be using when they reach that age. There's a cheery thought, yes? Hopefully advanced in digital and internet technology will help fill the gap, but schools still need textbooks to teach. California parents will of course be called on to help supplement information, apparently.

Twenty-year old textbooks will certainly help California attract new businesses, new jobs, and new tax revenue sources through a knowledgeable population, yes?

Then again the way the economy is going, companies looking to relocate or expand will simply need to look for the state with the best sweetheart deal...or increasingly, another country entirely.