A start on an answer for Jeremy and James: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books

[David Bucknell <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Jeremy and James,

I have a little experience in textbook publishing, so I can _start_ an answer to your questions, but only in general terms.  See below, please.

----- Message from reed@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ---------
    Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:54:27 -0600 (CST)
    From: "Jeremy C. Reed" <reed@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: schoolforge-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 Subject: Re: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books
      To: schoolforge-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
 
> On Fri, 27 Jan 2012, James Daley wrote:
 >
> - find out how much schools spend on certain textbooks and how often
> updated or replaced.
* Most schools work on a 3 to 5 year update schedule.  A different 
subject is reviewed each year, so there's a cycle of purchasing.  I'm sure people can point out whether this is true for their areas.
>
> - find out procedures for publishers to propose new textbooks
* I don't know.  I do know that they are constantly thinking about and 
discussing ideas.  They are relatively slow to get texts to market, but 
that's changing a little with online texts.
>
> - find out procedures for instructors to request new textbooks
*Teachers and dept heads have a say, esp. in independent schools.  But 
even in districts, their opinions are sought and considered.
 
>
> - how are lawmakers involved? What are the levels of permission or
> requirements? (local, district, state?)
* They are usually involved in the budget, but not in the actual 
selection.  However, the dept of education usually has a great deal of 
power in these decisions.
> - what types of textbooks require permission at different levels?
* I don't understand this question.
> ###
...
 
----- End message from reed@xxxxxxxxxxxxx -----

 Best wishes,

David

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