New textbooks available for review by concerned citizens

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 9 a.m.

Potential additions to the bookshelves of Clark County's schools will be available for public review today, as educators consider new textbooks on everything from elementary reading skills to fashion merchandising.

After the public review, a final list of titles will be submitted to the Nevada Education Department for approval, said Martha Tittle, assistant superintendent of curriculum for the Clark County School District.

Once the state has approved a textbook for adoption, superintendents of the district's five regions may devise their own list of preferred titles, Tittle said.

"We don't tell teachers, 'This is the only book you can use,' " Tittle said. "The point of breaking into five regions was to give those regional superintendents more flexibility in responding to the needs of their students."

While principals and teachers have some leeway in choosing textbooks for their classes, schools are required to use the same titles for certain classes within in each region.

"When it comes to things like reading programs, consistency is very important," said Edward Goldman, superintendent of the district's southeast region. "We have kids bouncing from school to school, and we don't want them to lose time getting familiar with a new program."

The 20 titles up for consideration were compiled by the district's textbook review committee, which includes teachers and parents. Notices of the opportunity to view the textbooks were posted in Clark County's public libraries and distributed to schools, district officials said.

Parental involvement in textbook selection is critical, Barbara Clark, president of the Nevada PTA, said.

"The books that teachers use have a far-ranging impact on students," said Clark, who lives in Washoe County. "Giving parents the chance to ask questions about what their children are learning is an important part of the educational process."

The School District spent $16 million last year for textbooks at 274 campuses.

Textbooks were to be available for review today until 4 p.m. at the district's Curriculum and Professional Development Center, 3950 Pecos-McLeod. For more information call 799-5443.