Houston Schools Rely Less on Textbooks | Education

Check your child's backpack, and you might see fewer textbooks compared with a few years ago.

You may wonder why that's happening. It's a question that came to 13WMAZ from some Houston County viewers.

We took the question to Houston County's Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Eric Payne to find out.

Payne said parents at Houston County schools are seeing and will continue to see fewer books coming home.

He said, "What's happening is that the textbook is more of a resource in the classroom. It's not driving the instruction."

He says they used to base the curriculum on the text, but now the text is just one part of the curriculum.

That's why some teachers don't assign a book to each student, and instead, use a classroom set that stays at school, when the child goes home.

It's a change in philosophy from when science teacher at Perry Middle School Jeff Carroll went to school.

He said, "The textbook, when I went to school, it was a crutch. It was the thing kids depended on."

Carroll says now the text is only one of many resources available to students. The new age of learning relies on smart boards, iPads and the internet. The newer tools are constantly updated and offer enhanced instruction.

Students in Carroll's 7th grade science class use iPads to touch, feel and see how electricity works, instead of only reading about it in their text book.

Student Chase Griner said his parents often ask why he doesn't bring his textbook home. He said, "They say all my information is my textbook, and I should bring that home, but just as much information is on the internet as in the text book. Even more.

The iPads are part of test program going in a few Houston classrooms.

Houston County Schools plan to expand their use along with other technologies, with $30 million from the recently approved Houston Education SPLOST.

With the move away from text books, parents may be struggling to help children with their homework.

Payne recommended that parents look for help from the Kahn Academy and Georgia Standards web sites.

Both offer educational videos and practice exercises.

For parents that don't have the internet at home, you can check out a classroom textbook to help your child.

Payne said textbooks typically cost $100 or more each. He said using more technology in the classroom may cost more upfront, but result in a net savings over time.