Texas education board considering second Mexican American studies textbook

Texas State Sen. Jose Menedez speaks at a rally for Mexican-Americans outside the State Board of Education. Mexican-American advocates and activists gathered for a rally outside the William B. Travis state office building Tuesday Sept. 13, 2016, to express their displeasure with the State Board of Education's controversial proposed textbook "Mexican American Heritage", which lists several inaccuracies and false information about Texas' rich cultural heritage. Board members will vote in November on a new textbook that has proved non-controversial, thus far. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Texas State Sen. Jose Menedez speaks at a rally for Mexican-Americans outside the State Board of Education. Mexican-American advocates and activists gathered for a rally outside the William B. Travis state ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera, Associated Press Photo: Ralph Barrera, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas education board considering second Mexican American studies textbook 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- Less than a year after the Texas State Board of Education rejected a Mexican American studies textbook that critics argued was riddled with racism and errors, the board is considering a new text.

The new one was pitched by Tony Diaz, the director of intercultural initiatives at Lone Star College-North Harris and activist who would smuggle banned Mexican American studies books into Arizona. His book, "The Mexican American Studies Toolkit, went before the State Board of Education at its quarterly meeting Wednesday and drew no controversy.

"I was kind of stunned," said Rubin Cortez, Jr., a Democratic board member from Brownsville and advocate for creating a statewide Mexican American studies course, an effort that's stalled in recent years. "I thought some of my Republican friends were going to be concerned."

Last year, about 100 people filled the the State Board of Education's meeting room in Austin, most railing against "Mexican American Heritage," a textbook brought by former conservative Republican board member Cynthia Dunbar critics attacked for referring to Mexicans as "lazy" and about 140 factual errors.

Critics, which included history professors, called the text "offensive" and said it downplayed Mexican-Americans' contributions to society. The board, which is made up largely of conservative members, rejected that book in November of 2016 and asked for new submissions.

"The Mexican American Studies Toolkit" is the only Mexican American textbook submission, although the board also received a pitch for a Jewish studies textbook. The board is expected to take a final vote in November to add those textbooks to the recommended high school social studies text book list, although teachers can use books not on the list.

Andrea Zelinski covers politics and education for the Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.