John Hancock, Oprah Winfrey, a Few Confederate Figures Among 60 Cuts From Texas' History Curriculum

AUSTIN — Texas has cut about five dozen people from its social studies curriculum in an effort to streamline the number of historical figures about whom students will learn.The State Board of Education voted on these cuts to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, curriculum in November. But a finalized list wasn't available until recently. The Dallas Morning News combed through the 445 people on the list to figure out who made the cut and who didn't.Several people slated for deletion were ultimately kept in the curriculum after public outcry. These include Helen Keller and Hillary Clinton, who are recommended but not required to be taught in third grade and high school history, respectively. The following nine people and groups were also kept in the curriculum after being on the chopping block:José Antonio Navarro (kindergarten, Grades 4 and 7)The Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP (Grade 2)The Navajo Code Talkers (Grade 2, U.S. History Since 1877)Benjamin Banneker (Grade 3)The Four Chaplains (Grade 3)John Paul Jones (Grade 8)Wentworth Cheswell (Grade 8)Eleanor Roosevelt (Grade 1, U.S. History Since 1877)Omar Bradley (U.S. History Since 1877)  Continue reading...