State Seeks Delicate Balance in Approving Books for Schools - 1997-08-01
State Seeks Delicate Balance in Approving Books for Schools August 1, 1997,
Although California's Department of Education has the responsibility to make sure that books are consistent with certain social content laws -- so they do not proselytize for a religion or reinforce stereotypes, for instance -- the state sets few other restrictions on how schools can spend about a third of the textbook money it doles out.
And there are virtually no restrictions on what books can be used by charter schools -- such as the one now proposed in Los Angeles by educators hoping to give students textbooks inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
State officials said this week that although a charter school cannot be tied to a religion, and cannot proselytize for any faith, it would be free to buy the Hubbard books or any others.
