A textbook proposed for the new environmental science curriculum at Pine-Richland High School was pulled from consideration after parents complained the book was biased in its approach to global warming, population control and other issues.

"The parents were very fair," said assistant superintendent David Foley, who is in charge of curriculum, instruction and assessment, which includes textbooks. "They are concerned about providing both sides."

School board Vice President Richard Herko said he found the book, "Living in the Environment," "unrelentingly" sending the message that "we know what is causing global warming."

"That's bad science," said Mr. Herko, who reviewed the book as he does all the texts that come before the board. "I don't think bad science has a place in our textbooks."

Good science in an environmental science textbook would talk about different theories that are available, he said. There are many possibilities for the causes of climate change, he continued.

"Bad science goes ahead and creates a picture for the student that doesn't allow them new understanding," said Mr. Herko. The book also discusses population control, which touches on the controversial topic of abortion.

"Who is to say what the appropriate population is?" Mr. Herko said. "The book repeatedly goes to population control. I have problems with that in a science classroom devoid of a conversation on ethics."

School board member Scott Stedeford also expressed concern about biases in science textbooks.

"We need to teach science, not indoctrination," he said.

Dr. Foley emphasized that developing the curriculum was the key to educating students on a subject and "the textbook is not the curriculum."

When questioned by school board members about finding the appropriate textbooks to support Pine-Richland's curricula, Dr. Foley said some manufacturers will use their diverse resources to develop a custom-made text, essentially "they will let us build our own textbook."

Although some state boards of education determine what books are used in their public schools, Pennsylvania leaves decisions about textbooks to local school boards.

Pine-Richland's school board looks closely at the texts that come before it before voting its approval. It does not act as a rubber stamp, Dr. Foley said.

Geometry books for the middle school and high school were the subject of a nearly 40-minute discussion Tuesday, with board members questioning the way the subject matter was approached and whether the district should take a closer look at how it teaches math.

In the end, the board approved the two geometry books, along with two texts for computer courses. Because of the time it takes to review and order books, Dr. Foley said there will not be a textbook available for the beginning of the school year for environmental sciences. He said the administration will look for other sources of material for the curriculum.

The cost for a single textbook varies; the average cost for the four texts approved Tuesday was $74 each.

Pine-Richland has budgeted $233,000 for textbooks for the 2010-11 school year.

Dr. Foley is proposing a new five-step procedure for reviewing textbooks to include more community input before the books are put before the school board for a vote.

"We really want parental input," Dr. Foley said.

Currently, teachers review and recommend books for their respective subjects. Those teachers also ask parents of their students for input.

Dr. Foley wants to expand the review process. Already, the district is using its website to solicit feedback from the community on proposed textbooks. The books are available for review at the school administration offices, as well as the Northern Tier Regional Library's Richland center on Dickey Road and the Pine center in Pine-Richland High School. Some textbooks may be reviewed online.

Reviewing several hundred pages of text can be daunting, but Dr. Foley said he has received comments from parents who have read texts cover to cover.

He envisions assembling a review committee that would include teachers, reading specialists, parents, administrators and others. In short, he said he would like to see "as diverse a group as we could find."

That panel would score proposed books on a number of criteria including how well the information lines up with Pennsylvania's core standards and Pine-Richland's curriculum map. That committee's review would be sent to the school board's academic achievement committee, which would decide whether the review committee had done its "due diligence," Dr. Foley said.

If the book passes muster under this proposed plan, he said, then it would be put on public review for 30 days before going before the school board for a vote.

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