From Culture War to Social Studies Circus

The recent revisions of the Texas social studies standards drew national and international attention from concerned citizens, educators, and journalists. Though one might have predicted the discussion to focus on improving education or college readiness, in actuality public discourse turned into a politicized debate over persons to be added or removed from a laundry list of mandatory names. How could this happen? My review of the public record and my analysis of the revision process find parallels between the work of the Texas State Board of Education and a three-ring circus-guaranteed to amaze one and all!