Education A National Roundup

Obituary: Influential Texas Critic of Textbooks Dies

By Sean Cavanagh — January 04, 2005 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Melvin F. Gabler, whose efforts to rid school textbooks of what he viewed as left-wing and anti-Christian content had an impact far beyond his native Texas, died Dec. 19 after suffering a fall and a massive brain hemorrhage. He was 89.

Melvin F. Gabler

Mr. Gabler and his wife, Norma, spent more than 45 years combing through public school textbooks in science, mathematics, history, reading, and other subjects. They founded a nonprofit organization devoted to that work, Educational Research Analysts, based in Longview, Texas.

Mr. Gabler described the organization, which reviewed textbooks for biased and inaccurate content, as having a conservative Christian mission. While the group focused on textbooks submitted for state adoption in Texas, the Gablers’ recommendations have shaped academic materials nationwide because the state’s hefty share of the market makes publishers quick to cater to its requirements.

Educational Research Analysts and Norma Gabler will continue the organization’s work, said Neal Frey, its senior textbook analyst. Mr. Frey recalled his former colleague as both kind and meticulous.

“He would always remind me, ‘Your credibility is on the line,’ ” Mr. Frey said last week. “He never got after me for wanting to take more time” on a project.

A version of this article appeared in the January 05, 2005 edition of Education Week

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Reading & Literacy Webinar
(Re)Focus on Dyslexia: Moving Beyond Diagnosis & Toward Transformation
Move beyond dyslexia diagnoses & focus on effective literacy instruction for ALL students. Join us to learn research-based strategies that benefit learners in PreK-8.
Content provided by EPS Learning
Classroom Technology Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: Is AI Out to Take Your Job or Help You Do It Better?
With all of the uncertainty K-12 educators have around what AI might mean for the future, how can the field best prepare young people for an AI-powered future?
Special Education K-12 Essentials Forum Understanding Learning Differences
Join this free virtual event for insights that will help educators better understand and support students with learning differences.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: September 18, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 28, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 21, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 14, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read