A bill proposed by the Speaker of the Tennessee House would increase transparency into the library books and textbooks children are using in schools.
“Until today, no one has taken responsibility as to how library books have previously reached school libraries in the state,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) told The Tennessee Star Tuesday. “The Tennessee Association of School Librarians has since indicated librarians have been in charge of the process all along. This bill will establish a statewide process that includes both [Local Education Associations] and the Textbook Commission in the process for a uniform, approved list of school library books.”
A summary of HB 2666 says the bill “requires the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission to provide a copy of the commission’s proposed textbook and instructional materials list to the general assembly.”
Tuesday, the bill was referred to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. Its State Senate counterpart, SB 2247, passed the upper chamber of the General Assembly on April 12, with a vote of 32-1.
The legislative session ends Thursday, meaning that lawmakers are up against a deadline to pass the bill. The bill must pass the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, and then it will be sent to the House floor for debate and for a full vote.
Despite the near-unanimous passage in the Senate, the bill is ruffling feathers among extremists on the political left.
Far-left publication The Tennessee Holler confronted Sexton about the bill Tuesday.
That organization is upset that Laurie-Cardoza Moore, an activist whom it describes as a “bigot,” is a member of the Textbook Commission and would be in a position to review the materials children read in schools.
Cardoza-Moore has vowed to speak for parents as a member of the Textbook Commission.
Other members of the Textbook Commission include teachers of different grade levels appointed by the Speaker of the State Senate, a school principal appointed by the governor, and the commissioner of education or the commissioner’s deputy.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Cameron Sexton” by Speaker Cameron Sexton. Background Photo “Classroom” by Marie. CC BY-SA 2.0.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what the legislature does, the usual suspects who run education will do what they want, despite the law. Also, to make matters worse, there are fewer and fewer textbooks now, considering students have chrome books and access their lessons, reading materials, and quizzes online. Online education materials make it much easier for radical educrats to control content, so, best of luck achieving transparency, Tennessee General Assembly!
Well stated