For Immediate Release

May 24, 2007

Contact: Jay Diskey

Ph: 202-220-4549

Response to LAO's Reforming California's Instructional Material Adoption Process Report

Statement from Jay Diskey, Executive Director AAP School Division

May 24, 2007, Washington, DC: “The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has many serious concerns about the veracity of the data and conclusions in the report released today by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) titled Reforming California’s Instructional Material Adoption Process.

“The LAO report makes inappropriate use of data drawn from the Common Core of Data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES).  According to NCES, with the exception of 2003-04, it has not maintained separate funding data on textbooks.  Instead, the NCES data includes textbooks in a category called ‘instructional supplies.’  This category also includes expenditures for art supplies, lab supplies, instructional aids, audiovisual items, general classroom supplies such as paper and glue, and in some cases, software and desks.

“As a result, the reports grossly overestimates the amount of money California spends on instructional materials. For example, because of its misuse of data the LAO report claims that per pupil spending on instructional materials grew to $237 by the 2003-2004.  In fact, according to AAP industry statistics, spending on instructional materials in California amounted to just $55.63 per pupil in 2004.

“It is impossible to craft good policy when the wrong data are used. The fact is, that while California does spend more money today on instructional materials than it has in the past, the state had to increase such spending to meet the minimum – and very unique – needs of California students.  In 2004 the state settled the Williams lawsuit, forcing it to allocate an additional $138 million to funding standards-aligned instructional materials for targeted schools. The suit was brought by Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and education groups to ensure all California students have access to instructional materials – and an equal opportunity to learn.

“Recent funding increases have also resulted from state requirements that drive the content, format, volume and cost of instructional materials.  In addition, state mandates require instructional materials meet the needs of California’s diverse student population and the full range of learners including English learners, special education students, students with learning difficulties and advanced learners.

“However, despite recent increases in funding, California still spends less than 1 percent of its total education expenditures on instructional materials.  As a result, many California children don’t have access to textbooks. That’s the issue LAO should have examined.“

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