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In a move that has sparked both debate and outrage, Cy-Fair Independent School District has made significant changes to its textbooks, removing entire chapters on controversial topics such as vaccines, climate change, and diversity.
The decision, which was implemented quietly last year, continues to fuel tensions among parents, educators, and board members.
The individual chapters, which once addressed subjects like the science behind vaccines, climate change, and the importance of diversity, are now unavailable to students both in print and online.
Some parents, particularly those with children in high school, are voicing concerns about the impact these changes will have on their children’s education.
Tara Cummings, a mother with a freshman daughter, shared her fears that her child’s education will be incomplete, especially since she aspires to pursue a career in medicine. Cummings’ daughter, in a heartfelt letter, expressed anxiety over the omission of critical scientific topics from her coursework.
The controversy has extended beyond parents, with educators also expressing their dismay. One teacher, who had been recognized as “Teacher of the Year,” resigned in protest over the board’s actions, according to the Cy-Fair American Federation Teacher. Additionally, the district’s refusal to engage in discussions with the media has added to the frustration.
Despite multiple requests for interviews, Cy-Fair ISD officials, including Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian, have declined KPRC 2 Investigates requests to discuss the issue, leading many to question the transparency of the decision-making process.
When confronted at a recent board meeting, district representatives again refused to comment. Parents, such as Cummings, have accused the board of dismissing legitimate concerns and even attacking them on social media.
“They don’t respond to emails at all,” Cummings said, expressing her frustration with the lack of productive dialogue with the board. “They attack parents, myself included, on social media and call us crazy.”
As the controversy continues to unfold, many parents and students are calling for greater transparency and accountability from their elected school board officials. The future of Cy-Fair ISD’s textbook revisions remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—this debate over educational content is far from over.
After a version of this story aired on television, Assistant Superintendent for Communication, Leslie Francis, responded to questions via email:
KPRC: Where can parents, students, and myself go to see the replacement curriculum items... To review them?
Parents: According to policy EF (LEGAL):
A parent is entitled to:
1. Review all teaching materials, instructional materials, including while the child is participating in virtual or remote learning, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent’s child;
2. Review each test administered to the child after the test is administered; and
3. Observe virtual instruction while the parent’s child is participating in virtual or remote learning to the same extent the parent would be entitled to observe in-person instruction of the child.
A district shall make teaching materials and tests readily available for parental review and may specify reasonable hours for such review.
A district that uses a learning management system or any online learning portal to assign, distribute, present, or make available instructional materials as defined by Education Code 31.002 [see EFA] to students shall provide login credentials to the system or portal to each student’s parent.
Community members may request an appointment to review materials at the district administration building with a member of the CFISD Curriculum and Instruction team.
KPRC: Is there any CFISD web page or website that explains the changes... Lists what’s been removed...and what’s been added in its place?
The book and titles of removed chapters are:
Biology, Texas Miller & Levine
Chapter 13- The Challenge of Disease
Chapter 16- Human Impact on the Biosphere
Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World Texas Edition (Only choice from the SBOE adopted materials list)
Chapter 5- Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control
Chapter 7- Saving Species and Ecosystem Services
Earth Systems, Texas Edition (Only choice from the SBOE adopted materials list)
Chapter 2- Earth Systems and Cycles
Chapter 6- Mineral and Energy Resources
Chapter 21- Climate and Climate Change
Principles of Education and Training, Teaching
Chapter 7- Schools and Society
Chapter 12- Understanding and Teaching Diverse Learners
Chapter 15- Technology for Instruction
Chapter 18- The Challenges of Teaching
Health Science Theory Clinicals, DHO Health Science
Chapter 8- Human Growth and Development
Chapter 10- Cultural Diversity
Textbooks are used as a resource for the district curriculum. For the removed chapters, the curriculum team is using other resources such as web articles, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Center for Disease Control, and the US Department of Health and Human Services to create curriculum. No TEKS have been removed from the course curriculum.
KPRC: Are there any other chapters under review for removal from curriculum for next school year?
Not at this time.
