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Connections

Connections: How are Textbooks Made and Vetted?

Textbook maker McGraw-Hill took some heat last month when it was revealed that one of its history books in a Texas high school referred to slaves as "workers." The company apologizedand promised to correct the mistake, but only after a student's mother raised the issue. We've been checking around the Rochester area (see document below), wondering if those textbooks have been in use locally. And more broadly speaking, how are textbooks made? How should they be vetted? What should we expect? Our guests:

  • Jim Caswell, middle years program coordinator and social studies chair, Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School 
  • Pech Chun, University of Rochester freshman and IB Program graduate
  • Sheila Kiruku, University of Rochester freshman and IB Program graduate
  • Verdis Robinson, professor of history and African American studies, Monroe Community College
  • Theresa Sarkis-Kruse, diploma program coordinator, Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School
  • Audra Schmitt, executive director for social studies, Rochester City School District

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Connections education
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.