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Actually, the VA textbook problem was entirely ignorance. The ideological issues were subtle, and really only one or two instances of the dozens of inaccuracies in the book. The book was simply wrong EVERYWHERE.

The bigger issue, like most education issues, was that the book was rapidly approved without any proper review. The book was approved quickly because it was *cheap*, coming in at less than half the price of the more commonly used textbook for that age group and subject matter.

It was approved without a review because the state simply no longer has the financial resources (thanks to tax cuts and the fact that the state gets most of its money from property taxes, the income from which dropped like a rock in the bubble) to properly maintain a full review committee.

This is not a school board picks David Barton to lead situation, akin to Texas. This is simply a school board that is flat broke and seeing a book that could save them money over the alternative from a mainstream (and reputable) publisher.

By Joe Shelby (not verified) on 02 Jan 2011 #permalink