The Texas State Board of Education's (SBOE) recent approval and rejection of new science textbooks have elicited a mixed reaction, with some critics arguing that the new materials do not adequately address climate change. This decision specifically pertains to educational materials for Texas students.

"The Texas State Board of Education should be applauded for adopting textbooks that align with state standards and will give children in Texas a more balanced presentation of energy. The decision from the SBOE to reject textbooks that don’t align with Texas standards will positively impact our education system and Texans for generations to come. While the mainstream media and the climate industrial complex is lambasting the SBOE, their decision was rooted in complying with Texas standards. For too long, textbooks in Texas and across the country have typically only emphasized the climate alarmist narrative that vilifies fossil fuels. Removing bias and a false narrative regarding our climate from our education system will have a significant benefit in mental health and encourage future generations to seek jobs in the energy sector and beyond.", said Jason Isaac.

As part of this contentious situation,According to a Nov. 20 report by the Waco Tribune-Herald, the 15-member SBOE approved new science materials on Nov. 17, but seven out of 12 textbooks for eighth grade students were largely rejected due to containing policy solutions for climate change or because publishers have Environmental, Social, and Governance policies.

This controversial decision was not made arbitrarily,According to the Texas Education Agency’s website, the SBOE approved the new K-12 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) during its 2020 and 2021 meetings, with implementation slated for the 2024-2025 school year.

These newly approved guidelines impose specific requirements on content creators,According to the Waco Tribune-Herald report, the new standards require eighth-grade students to learn about climate change and human activities that can affect climate, forcing publishers to update their textbooks. But, as the Waco Tribune-Herald reported, critics have blasted the new standards because they do not require students to learn how to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.