In the past few weeks, you undoubtedly were exposed to the controversy over textbook revision in the great state of Texas. During the second week of March, the State Board of Education met to review proposed changes to the state social studies curriculum standards. By the end of the week, an 11-4 vote endorsed the recommended changes. The complete document was then posted in a state register for public review and comment for a month. The board will once again meet in May to discuss, debate, and decide on the proposed changes. Educators from across the country are awaiting the verdict from this monumental decision to weigh its effect on their states.

Though the final decision lies in hands of the board members, the process itself starts with the input from educators. Hundreds of teachers create the first set of standards and present them to the board. The board, comprised of publicly elected officials, then appoints six "expert reviewers" to evaluate the documents. After thorough scrutiny, the reviewers present their changes to the board. The board votes on a draft copy to be presented to the public and then makes the conclusive vote.

This sounds simple, but in light of the so called "textbooks wars" that have raged in the past several decades, it was all but that. The fact that eleven of the members are Republicans fueled the debate from both sides.

Senior board member, Mary Helen Berlanga, a Democrat, reportedly stormed out of the meeting one evening prior to its adjournment. According to a March 14th Huffington Post article, she said, "We're dealing with people who don't want to face . . . reality. They don't want to deal with the truth. I've never seen a rewrite like this. It is a step backwards."

A similar article in the New York Times refers to the counter remarks from fellow board member, Dr. Don McElroy, who voted in favor of the changes. "We are adding balance. History has already been skewed. Academia is skewed too far to the left."

A study funded in the mid 80's by the Department of Education indicated history has, in fact, been skewed, not necessarily by what the textbooks contain but rather by what they omit. Dr. Paul C. Vitz conducted the study and documented his findings in the publication "Religion and Traditional Values in Public-School Textbooks: An Empirical Study."

Vitz refers to one social studies book that had several pages on the Pilgrims, including the first Thanksgiving, but not one mention of God or religion as being a part of their lives. He quotes another textbook as saying the Pilgrims "wanted to give thanks for all they had" but omitted any reference to God as being the One to whom they were thankful.

At this juncture, it is difficult to know what will occur if the board gives their final approval to the proposed standards. Some feel it will lead to a lengthy legal battle which will basically make the standards mute until a final ruling by the court. Others believe it will affect the majority of states since Texas is one of the largest purchasers of textbooks.

One thing is certain: we are in the midst of an all out spiritual battle for the minds of our children. In his session on history in The Truth Project, Dr. Del Tackett eloquently refers to Satan as being the first "revisionist". By saying to Eve, "Has God said", Del claims Satan was revising what had already taken place-history-to fit his own agenda.

George Orwell is credited with saying "He who controls the present, controls the past, he who controls the past, controls the future." As Christians we understand history is more than just a subject. It is the story of life-of God's sovereign plan for mankind-past, present and future.

As I am writing this and you are reading it, we are both making history. Our names may never be written in history books, but by God's design and purpose, we are making history in His great annals. Christian schools must impart this truth to students while teaching the truth about God's sovereign role in history. They must realize their lives are uniquely formed by God "for an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11). May God's anointing rest upon you as teach these truths to students, and in so doing, have an impact on the future of our nation.

Roy Faletti                                                                                            

Vice President of Educational Services