TEXAS – Texas' State Board of Education is expected to hold a final vote on a decision that drew impassioned pleas from the deaf and blind community to preserve history that could be cut from curriculum.

  • Texas Education Board making final decision
  • Will determine who gets cut from history curriculum
  • Parents gave emotional pleas on Tuesday

The board members will make a final decision on whether or not to cut several historical figures from curriculum, including Helen Keller and Hillary Clinton. The topic drew strong opinions among parents and teachers statewide.

On Tuesday, the board listened to testimony from 35 people, including deaf and blind 17-year-old Gabby Caldwell, who wants Hellen Keller’s legacy to remain in classrooms.

“We have far too few women that are American heroes and even fewer heroes that are individuals with disabilities,” said Robbie Caldwell, Gabby’s mother. “Without broad academic knowledge of Helen Keller, my daughter and other deaf-blind students cease to exist.”

Along with Keller and Clinton, the board is debating removing the Women Air Service Pilots from World War II.