Approval of Controversial Textbook Demonstrates Problems with Selection Process

October 29, 2007 -- Alabama's October 11th Board of Education vote that led to the inclusion of a bible literacy textbook on the state's approved list is stirring up controversy over who should be selecting books for the list and the steps to approval. In a recent editorial, the Tuscaloosa News criticizes the state board members for taking the word of the textbook committee that there were no controversial books on the list --despite action in the legislature regarding the text --and for failing to look at the 2,500 book list prior to their vote. The editors worry that "...inattentiveness in textbook selections could allow fringe groups to sneak in books with slanted political, scientific and historical views onto the approved list for Alabama schools."