By KRWG News
Texas – Texas budget troubles include no money for new textbooks.
Lawmakers are dealing with a projected $15 billion shortfall in the next two-year spending period. Neither legislative chamber's base budget includes money for updated textbooks.
Texas, with 4.6 million public school students, is facing tougher testing. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness focuses on college readiness. A dozen mandatory exams for high school students will be phased in over four years.
The Austin American-Statesman reported late Monday that current science courses include textbooks that can be up to 12 years old.
The State Board of Education last fall, anticipating a possible state budget crunch, asked the Legislature for supplemental science materials available online only.
Education Commissioner Robert Scott is seeking $520 million in updated instructional materials for the fall.
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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.