Changes made to criticized Texas curriculum system

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A prominent Republican lawmaker says changes are being made to a curriculum system used in Texas schools that critics claim promotes anti-American values and stifles classroom flexibility.

State Sen. Dan Patrick said Friday that officials behind the system, called CSCOPE, are telling more than 800 participating school districts that lessons are not intended to be taught verbatim. CSCOPE came under fire last week by conservative activists who say it promotes biased, progressive ideology.

CSCOPE help teachers adhere to state educational requirements with Web-based lesson plans and exams. Opponents say some lesson plans promote pro-Islam ideals and claim that participants of the Boston Tea Party were described as terrorists.

Among the changes are that CSCOPE lesson content will now be posted publicly on the Internet.