"I don't see any reason in the world why we need to have textbooks in Texas in the next four years. Do you agree?" Perry asked participants at a computer gaming education conference in Austin.
The governor said the move might boost student performance, telling gaming gurus that paper textbooks are outdated even before they reach the classroom in many cases. One example of that is districts using books that still say Ann Richards, who served as governor from 1991-1995, is the current governor. Perry took office in 2000, stepping up from the Lieutenant Governor post when George Bush was elected President of the United States.
Education is in an election year, running against Democrat Bill White, who is hitting education issues hard. In his speech promoting online textbooks, Perry disputed White's platform.
"There's obviously opposition (for online textbooks), but there's always opposition to change," Perry said.
According to Business Week, Perry stood firm on his ideas that by using the internet to teach allows the material to be updated almost immediately. He said children know and learn through the use of technology.
Business Week reports Austin Democrat, Rep. Mark Strama, is interested in pursuing technological textbooks, too. He said lawmakers took a step in that direction last year by allowing schools to spend textbook money on electronic instructional materials. Strama noted Apple's new iPad and other similar products that could aide teachers and students.
On the other hand, Business Week reported White's camp said the Legislature already gave the State Board of Education the right to review online materials and add them to the list for schools to use. So far that hasn't happened. Perry believes technology can cure the severe dropout rate in the state.
Perry expects to be the man in charge of the state when the Texas Legislature convenes again next year, and hopes the online textbook topic will hit legislators tables for serious consideration.
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