The California State School Board approved a new batch of science textbooks for local school districts Thursday. The materials highlight the latest scientific discoveries, like Pluto’s demotion. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
The International Astronomical Union caused a stir four months ago when the panel dropped Pluto as the ninth planet in our solar system. The new planetary line-up and Pluto’s status as a “dwarf planet” will soon be in science textbooks for fifth and eighth graders. State education official Tom Adams says despite the big discovery, it’s a small revision for textbook publishers to make.
Adams: Actually it's pretty easily remedied. They could either do it as a footnote or in the text itself.
Adams says elementary school districts are required to choose new textbooks from the state-approved list by next year. He says the state gives money to districts so they can purchase the approved materials. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
