aug_harcourt1.htm

FORMAL RESPONSE TO ORAL TESTIMONY,

AUGUST 23, 2002 Harcourt School Publishers

PETITIONER'S COMMENTS

Point 1

Page 20 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. PATTERSON: Harcourt, we only reviewed one textbook, addressed 85 percent of the errors.

Point 2

Page 23 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. PATTERSON: One, for example, is one review said that in the world cultures textbook, Sixth Grade, that the textbook went into great detail about cultural celebrations and holidays, but no patriotic holidays. And asks for example Presidents Day and different days to be included. And one publisher responded, well, this is a book about culture. This is not a book about patriotic holidays. We're not required to cover it. But our reviewer's comment is that this book is about our culture and patriotism and patriotic holidays are a part of our culture.

Point 3

Pages 30-31 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. PATTERSON: Both reviewers were concerned because the TEKS call for a

description of holidays in Grade 6. And only cultural holidays were given, not any

patriotic holidays. And the reviewers said that both are important and both are

integral to the culture that we enjoy. And so the patriotic as well as cultural

holidays should be included.

Point 4

Page 31 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

CHAIR SHORE: Did they have the 4^th of July?

MS. PATTERSON: No.

Point 5

Pages 52-53 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. BERLANGA: I have one more question of this individual. Going back to the

issue of the celebrations. And I would love to see 4^th of July in there. But if I

understand, Grade 6, page 30 of the proclamation, which is where we kind of

outline what we want from the publishing industry when they're developing their books, there is a section that says, "Culture. The student understands the relationships among religion, philosophy and culture. The student is expected to explain the relationship among religious ideas, philosophical ideas and cultures and explain the significance of religious holidays and observances." And it goes on and gives examples. Perhaps this is what they [are] covering in Grade 6, what was in our proclamation.

MS. PATTERSON: You have an advantage over me. I don't have a copy of the TEKS with me. I thought that there was a section of TEKS that just called for a description of the Sixth Grade TEKS of holidays separately rather than the cultural connections. I will be glad to get back with you as soon as I - does anyone here have a copy of the TEKS I could quickly look at? DR. ALLEN: Yes. The objective would be in the front of the book. TEK. MS. BERLANGA: It's Culture 6.19.

I mean, I would be in favor of putting in the 4^th of July. I mean, I think you could say it's, you know, part of our philosophy, it's part - you know, I don't have a problem with putting in the 4^th of July. But I did want you to see what it was that we were requiring of the publishing industry.

MS. PATTERSON: Well, I see the 6.19. I'm just looking to go through to whether - I thought there was another requirement. MS. BERLANGA: No, not in Sixth Grade.

MS. PATTERSON: You're quite right. That's the only reference to holidays and requirements for holidays. MS. BERLANGA: Thank you.

Point 6

Page 147 of the transcript

General Comment to Publishers concerning the use of company logos

MS. RABORN: However, this time I decided to address another general topic.

And that's the issue of using textbooks as advertising instruments.

I do not mind if "Time" and CNN and "National Geographic" receive recognition in the credits sections of these books for what they - their contributions. But I believe it is wrong the repeated and blatant way the company logos are used throughout these books.

Pages 149 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. RABORN: It's social studies for Sixth Grade.

Now, Harcourt, on the back of theirs [covers], has CNN, Mapquest, and "Time." I would rather that have been somewhere inside under credits, but they give their maps and there's no -there's no credit given on every page.

However, they have a big section in the front "Time for Kids." "Time" is out there hustling. I have to give them credit. Buy this is just a comment. I hate to see our textbooks used for commercial benefit.

Point 7

Page 204 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

MR. RENA: The book that I was given the opportunity to review is a book titled

Horizons, United States History. My concerns upon reviewing this text, what

bothered me the most was the minimal mentioning of minorities and women.

Point 8

Pages 204-205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5 MR. RENA: For instance, in the text, Page 310 has a total of four paragraphs that are dedicated to the over 200,000 African-American - African-Americans who took part in the Civil War, and yet, no mention of the over 15,000 Mexican-Americans who also took part in the Civil War.

Point 9

Page 205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

MR. RENA: Page 310, it has a total of four paragraphs that are devoted to

women and their fight for equality.

Point 10

Page 205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

MR. RENA: Pages 585 through 589 are dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement.

The two key figures that the text mentions are Dr. Martin Luther King and Cesar

Chavez. There is a minute credit for Ms. Rosa Parks, and yet, no mention of

political parties such as La Raza Unida or Seneca Falls Convention. There is

also no mentioning of other obstacles that minorities face, such as literacy

testing, all-white primaries or poll taxes.

Point 11

Page 205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

MR. RENA: Other than that the book, upon reviewing it, is a well-rounded book

based on history. But yet, when - like I mentioned before, when it comes to the

minorities and women, we have less than 40 pages dedicated to minorities and

women.

Point 12

Pages 209-210 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities, Grade 3

MS. GUERRA: The text I reviewed, Harcourt Horizons, People in Community, is

well-proportioned with the information it gave on the communities and people.

The cover page alone grabs the attention of the person by showing all different

kinds of individuals who accomplished major achievements in their lifetime. This

cover obtained my attention and as a student will give me the curiosity to acquire more information.

Point 13

Page 210 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities, Grade 3

MS. GUERRA: On Page 219, it gives information on Davey Crockett and how he

fought at the Battle of the Alamo. However, it could have elaborated on what the

battle was exactly about and give emphasis to the Mexicans who fought with the

United States during this battle. The text does give credit to Hispanic leaders

such as Cesar Chavez on Page 225 and what his accomplishments were

concerning the Mexican-American farm workers.

Point 14

Page 210 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities, Grade 3

MS. GUERRA: Yet the text lacked in giving mention to women who have

contributed the same amount of progress as men. For example, on Page 103, a

small cap[tion] on Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson is given. More could have been

given on her descriptions such as what she - what measures she took to achieve

the status she gained.

It was interesting, however, to read about how Hispanic women like Virginia Ramirez, on Pages 74 and 75 has been given recognition to her accomplishments.

Point 15

Page 210 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: People and Communities, Grade 3

MS. GUERRA: The text gives a variety of information that is simplified to give the

elementary students a better understanding.

Pages on geography and on the definitions are implemented. This utilization makes the learning process easier for the students. Examples, Pages 202 and 203.

Culture and customs are also provided in the text. A Mexican custom celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Page 269 was mentioned in the text providing colorful pictures of the costumes work by the children and adults, so that the student may see the customs.

Point 16

Page 232 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. JAEGER: I read all 700 plus pages of the Harcourt Horizons World Regions

Sixth Grade textbook. I enjoyed reading it. I was impressed with the format. It is

student and teacher friendly. The teacher's edition is very helpful.

Point 17

Page 233 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. JAEGER: My written testimony includes a complete review of the book and

lists mistakes, typographical errors and comments, so it goes into more detail.

Point 18

Page 233 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. JAEGER: Some of my concerns are that, one, the book is misleading when

it states the right to vote was given to all male citizens in 1870. Many Native

Americans and African-Americans were denied the right to vote by states using

unrealistic literacy tests and charging poll taxes, which has already been

mentioned.

Point 19

Page 233 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. JAEGER: The only mention of slavery in the United States is on Page 110

and I quote, "Many of these laws had to do with slavery." The slave trade and

slavery are mentioned in other chapters of the book, as if it never existed here in

the United States. That is misleading the children of the United States.

Point 20

Page 233 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

MS. JAEGER: Pages 374 and 375 have inappropriate information about

Christianity for a social studies textbook that will be in schools all over the United

States. There is more information on Jesus and Christianity than on Judaism and

Islam. The three religions should be covered similarly.

Point 21

Pages 253-255 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

DR. ALLEN: In your presentation, you [Dr. Jaeger] referred to the Harcourt

Horizon World Region Grade 6 book and said that there was only one mention of

slavery on Page 110. And I looked on Page 110 and one - where you have one

quote and that's true. But I also, in using the index went in to find one, two - let's

see, five 10, 11, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 more references in the index, okay.

DR. JAEGER: What -

DR. ALLEN: So you might want to cross -

DR. JAEGER: - I didn't explain in the short thing was in - in the entire unit of the

United States -

DR. ALLEN: Uh-huh.

DR. JAEGER: - as I looked through - I started wondering if it had been

mentioned all at all, because I didn't remember it. And so I started looking back.

And I did look in the index.

DR. ALLEN: There are 10 references.

DR. JAEGER: And so slavery and the slave trade are mentioned in other places.

But in the section on Pages 97 to 131 -

DR. ALLEN: Uh-huh.

DR. JAEGER: - the only mention of slavery in the United States was on that

page.

DR. ALLEN: Okay, well it's covered in depth a little deeper. Thank you.

CHAIR SHORE: Thank you.

DR. ALLEN: I just wanted to say that for that company, Harcourt, so they won't

be running around with their heads cut off looking for some more to put in there,

okay.

Point 22

Page 258 of the transcript

General Comment to Publishers concerning the use of company logos

DR. ALLEN: Let me - one thing he mentioned is CNN and the Time Magazine.

You know there is a rationale for that. And at the end - I hope somewhere there's

a rationale for it. In my mind, I'm trying rationale what it is. And I do have

something in my mind, but at the end when we address the - when the book

companies come forward, I would really like for that book company to have an

opportunity to say why that's there, okay.

Point 23

Page 278 of the transcript

Concerning the book Liberty, Equality and Power

MS. BORCHERT: I'm Peggy Borchert. I'm from Fort Worth, Texas. And I

reviewed the book Liberty, Equality and Power by Harcourt.

PUBLISHER'S RESPONSES TO ORAL TESTIMONY

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 1

Page 20 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

The petitioner refers to Harcourt correcting 85 percent of the errors cited by the petitioner. This reflects 17 of 20 items that the petitioner identified as errors in its written report submitted at the time of the July 17 public hearing. Of the 20, actually 21 items, addressed by the petitioner, 13 were previously submitted to the Texas Education Agency on the publisher's errata list. The publisher will request permission from the Texas Agency to change the text in 5 places to clarify content as requested by the petitioner. Three of the items, which the petitioner listed as errors, were requests for additional content not required by the TEKS.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 2

Page 23 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

The publisher believes that the petitioner is making reference to its review of Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6. In the written comments submitted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation at the July 17 public hearing, the petitioner expressed a concern about the lack of patriotic holidays, not in the pupil book but in the tabbed teacher resource section in the back of the World Regions Teacher's Edition.

The petitioner's comment from July 17 reads as follows:

6. "The writer [reviewer] would like to see elaboration of the Holiday Activities section regarding individual and community celebrations to include President's [sic] Day, Memorial Day, Veteran's [sic] Day, MLK Day, Flag Day and/or Independence Day. There is no reason to minimize patriotic holidays in favor of cultural celebrations. The writer is not arguing against cultural celebrations but FOR emphasis on patriotic ones." Harcourt, Grade 6 World Cultures, page 119, Lucille Kirkham

The publisher's response from July 17 reads as follows:

Since the focus of the Grade 6 curriculum is contemporary world regions, the publisher chose to select holidays for its Holiday Activities section of the World Regions Teacher's Edition that reflect world cultures and support the Grade 6 content. The following patriotic and United States federal holidays are included in the Grade 5 United States History Teacher's Edition: Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. Patriotic holidays, United States federal holidays, and Texas state holidays in the Grade 4 Texas Teacher's

Edition include Labor Day, Stephen F. Austin Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Confederate Heroes Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Presidents' Day, Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Emancipation Day, Independence Day, and Lyndon Baines Johnson Day. Holiday activities in the Grade 3 People and Communities Teacher's Edition include Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. Patriotic and United States federal holiday activities are also provided in the Teacher's Editions for Grades 1 and 2.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 3

Page 30-31 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

Patriotic or national holidays are covered in World Regions, as are cultural and religious holidays. The 4^th of July is covered on pages 65, 108, and 199. Other patriotic or United States national holidays mentioned in World Regions include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and Presidents' Day.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 4

Page 31 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

World Regions covers information about the 4^th of July on page 65 in a discussion of National Cultures, page 108 in a discussion of United States history, and on page 119 in a discussion of ways Americans Celebrate as One.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 5

Pages 52-53 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

The publisher wishes to thank Ms. Berlanga for correctly citing the requirements of the TEKS concerning the coverage of holidays. The publisher also wishes to repeat that its World Regions covers information about the 4^th of July on page 65 in a discussion of National Cultures, page 108 in a discussion of United States history, and on page 119 in a discussion of ways Americans Celebrate as One.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 6

Pages 147 and 149 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: World Regions, Grade 6

The publisher understands the petitioner's concern about having paid advertisements in textbooks. However, the publisher can assure the petitioner that it does not employ this practice. The use of the Time for Kids logo in Harcourt Horizons is an acknowledgment of an educational partnership between Harcourt and Time for Kids rather than a paid advertisement. In fact, Harcourt pays Time for Kids for the content its provides, just as Harcourt pays other educational partners such as Reading Rainbow, CNN, and MapQuest for the content they provide. Harcourt's educational partners provide expertise and a source for content that Harcourt would not otherwise have for use by its

customers. This content, however, is carefully critiqued and edited by Harcourt staff to meet state standards.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 7

Page 204 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

The publisher feels that its book provides numerous opportunities for students to read about the contributions of minorities and women in molding American history—from an entire chapter on the lifeways of Native Americans prior to European contact to a description of the diversity found in the United States today. Among the pages detailing the contributions of minorities and women are the following:

pages 64-65 describe some of the major accomplishments of ancient

Indian groups

page 145 relates the work of Bartolome de Las Casas page 244 tells about the work of Olaudah Equiano page 285 describes Crispus Attucks's role in the Boston Massacre pages 311-312 describe the roles of women in the American Revolution

and the work of Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant)

page 318 describes Jorge Farragut's efforts during the Revolutionary War pages 386-387 describe Sacagawea's role in helping Lewis and Clark

reach the Pacific coast page 405 describes Narcissa Prentiss Whitman's role in inspiring other

young women to travel west on the Oregon Trail page 463 describes the role of Clara Barton and other women during the

Civil War page 479 lists some of the African American leaders elected during

Reconstruction page 495 relates the work of Chinese and Irish immigrants in building the

transcontinental railroad page 505 details the life of Hiram L. Fong, the nation's first Chinese

American senator pages 534-536 describe the deeds of Jane Addams, Janie Porter Barrett,

W.E.B. Du Bois, and Carrie Lane Chapman Catt page 562 describes the work of Dr. Charles Drew pages 585-589 identify leaders such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Sandra Day

O'Connor.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 8

Pages 204-205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

The publisher understands the petitioner's interest in including information about Mexican American soldiers during the Civil War and will request permission from the Texas Education Agency to change the photograph caption on page 464 to read "African American troops (left) played a key role in support of the Union.

Thousands of Hispanic Americans also took part in the war, with some fighting for the Union and others fighting for the Confederacy. Unlike African American soldiers, most Hispanic Americans served in regular army units."

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 9

Page 205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

The four paragraphs cited by the petitioner explain the general roles of women during the American Revolution and highlight the contributions of specific women, such as Mercy Otis Warren. On page 319, students have the opportunity to read about the contributions of other women during the American Revolution, including the deeds of Mary Slocomb, who joined her husband at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, and Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, who earned the name Molly Pitcher by carrying water to the troops during the Battle of Monmouth. Coverage of women's equality appears on page 540 and 589, regarding employment. Pages 561 and 589 cover women in the labor force. Women leaders are covered on pages 405, 448, 449, 463, 535, 536, and 640. Women's rights are discussed on page 535.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 10

Page 205 of the transcript

Concerning Harcourt Horizons: United States History, Grade 5

In addition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Rosa Parks, Harcourt Horizons: United States History includes references to other Civil Rights leaders, such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, and Dolores Huerta. It also describes the efforts of such Civil Rights organizations as the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the United Farm Workers. The Seneca Falls Convention is described on pages 447-448.

With the permission of the Texas Education Agency, the publisher will add a Background feature to page 587 of the Teacher's Edition to provide additional information about the efforts of Hispanic Americans to gain equal rights in the areas of politics, economics, and education. The Background feature will describe the work of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, and will identify Ben Garza, a Mexican American who served as an early president of that organization.

The publisher understands the petitioner's interest in including the political party La Raza Unida. While space prohibits the publisher from including information about all political parties in the United States, on page 639 Harcourt Horizons: United States History does identify the nation's two main political parties.

The publisher agrees with the petitioner's concern and will request permission from the Texas Education Agency to add a Background feature on page 588 of the Teacher's Edition detailing how literacy testing, white-only primaries, and poll taxes kept many potential voters from voting.

Harcourt School Publishers to Point 11