Texas textbook controversy
Texas school district in hot water after 2nd Amendment misinterpreted in high school textbook
A parent in Denton has taken to the Internet to voice his discontent over an Advanced Placement U.S. history textbook that summarizes the Second Amendment as when "the people have the right to keep and bear arms in a state militia." This is, of course, a loose, perhaps even incorrect, interpretation of the Second Amendment, which reads, in full:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Blogs like The Blaze and Daily Paul were quick to begin organizing protests at the Denton ISD school board meeting, even going so far as outline a call to action. Ted Cruz even got in on the action, tweeting:
Something is VERY not right here. Can you spot it? #ConstitutionDay #SecondAmendment https://t.co/yP4k5ccaeH
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 17, 2013Except for one thing: It isn't actually the AP history textbook.
"We don't teach from that book; it's just a supplemental aid," says Denton ISD director of communications Sharon Cox. According to Cox, AP history teachers use the textbook American Pageant in the classroom, and that book has the full text of each amendment.
"The book in question, U.S. History: Preparing for Advanced Placement Exams, is a supplement instructional aid and not the official textbook for any history classes," says Cox. "In this supplement, it states that the following is a 'summary statement.'"
This supplemental aid, however, is not regulated to Texas alone. It's used in AP U.S. history classes around the country.
Back in Denton, however, Cox says, "Please be assured that Denton ISD history teachers are disseminating the correct information on the Second Amendment."