Electronic textbook bill signed into Law

Thursday, June 19, 2009

Kate Alexander

School districts will be able to tap state textbook money for buying laptop computers or other technology needed to access electronic teaching materials, under a bill signed by Gov. Rick Perry Friday.

State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, the sponsor of House Bill 4294, has said the objective was to give school districts the flexibility they need to make to update how students get their lessons.

But some members of the State Board of Education had strongly objected to the bill because they said it diminished the board’s authority and turned it over to the Education Commissioner. They launched a vigorous campaign calling for a veto.

Another significant Perry constituency, however, saw it differently.

Bill Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business, came out in favor of the bill.

“Schools need access to every resource and tool available to ensure they can reach and inspire Texas students because if our children aren’t prepared to be a vital part of a 21st century Texas, we will all suffer the consequences,” Hammond said in a news release this week.

UPDATE: Despite signing the bill, Perry did give a little something to the State Board of Education.

He issued an executive order that says “changes must be made to clarify that the State Board of Education has the responsibility to review and approve content by” the next Legislature.

In the meantime, Perry ordered that the board members have an active role in the review of digital content, including seats on the panels that will recommend materials and the opportunity to weigh in before the Education Commissioner approves an electronic textbook.