06/16/2009 GAAS:312:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces One of Nation’s Largest Textbook Publishers Among Those Participating in Free Digital Textbook Initiative

20 Math & Science Free Digital Textbooks Submitted by Nine Content Developers in First Phase of Initiative

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that Pearson Education, one of the nation's largest textbook publishers, is among the nine content developers to submit 20 free high school math and science digital textbooks by the June 15^th deadline of the first phase of the Governor's

Digital Textbook Initiative. The Governor's Digital Textbook Initiative aims to review existent free digital textbooks to determine what materials stand-up to California's rigorous academic standards so that California schools may utilize this free material in the classroom. Under the first phase of the initiative, free digital textbooks for high school math and science are being reviewed by fall 2009. "I'm thrilled that content developers - from leading publishers to progressive foundations - are joining us in making education more technologically advanced, cost-effective and engaging for California's students," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "During these difficult economic times, it's critical that we work together to find creative ways to stretch each and every dollar, while also providing students with the tools they need to succeed in the global economy."

To this, Secretary of Education Glen Thomas added, "I applaud all the content developers who submitted material for the good work they're doing to make high-quality, cost-effective resources available to California's students, schools and teachers. Their leadership will help us continue to expand learning and keep our students competitive in the growing digital economy."

The following free high school math and science digital textbooks were submitted for California content standard review. Contacts for each organization are available upon request:

Subject	Title	Content Developer
Algebra 2	Advanced Algebra 2	Connexions
Algebra 2	Algebra 2	Pearson Education
Biology/Life Science	CK-12 Biology	CK-12 Foundation
Biology/Life Science	CK-12 Life Science	CK-12 Foundation
Biology/Life Science	Biology	Pearson Education
Calculus	CK-12 Single Variable Calculus	CK-12 Foundation
Calculus	Calculus	Dr. David Guichard
Calculus	Elementary Calculus: An Infinitesimal Approach	Dr. H. Jerome Keisler
Calculus	Calculus	Wellesley-Cambridge Press
Chemistry	CK-12 Chemistry	CK-12 Foundation
Chemistry	Open Source Chemistry Course	Curriki
Chemistry	Chemistry	Pearson Education
Earth Science	CK-12 Earth Science	CK-12 Foundation
Earth Science	Earth Systems, an Earth Science Course	Curriki
Earth Science	Introduction to Climate Dynamics and Climate Modeling	Dr. Hugues Goosse
Geometry	CK-12 Geometry	CK-12 Foundation
Geometry	Geometry	Pearson Education
Physics	People's Physics Book	CK-12 Foundation
Physics	Light and Matter	Dr. Benjamin Crowell
Trigonometry	CK-12 Trigonometry	CK-12 Foundation

Last month, Governor Schwarzenegger launched a first-in-the-nation initiative to offer school districts access to free digital textbooks. At the Governor's request, Secretary Thomas is working with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell and State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell to develop a list of standards-aligned digital textbooks for high school math and science courses by fall 2009 - with additional content to follow. The submitted textbooks will now be reviewed by CLRN against California's rigorous academic content standards. Results of the review will be released in August, in time for the start of the school year.

###