The Alabama Department of Education has opened public review for new K–12 Social Studies and Arts Education textbooks ahead of a November 13 state board vote—part of a broader effort to take education “back to basics.” The revised Social Studies standards emphasize core knowledge in civics, history, geography, and economics, including required instruction on the Holocaust and earlier coverage of the Civil Rights Movement. Arts Education standards, last updated in 2017, are also being refreshed to focus on fundamental skills such as creativity, communication, and collaboration. Together, these updates aim to strengthen foundational learning and ensure students receive a more balanced, fact-based education aligned with traditional academic priorities.