CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Textbook Publisher Review Finds Abuse

Auditors advised the state to place a tighter rein on textbook publishers for such abuses as unequal distribution of free materials and influence-peddling with local buyers. Staff of acting Auditor Gen. Kurt Sjoberg made the recommendation after a review of the activities of eight publishers in the Oakland, Saddleback Valley, San Diego City and Stockton Unified school districts. Auditors studied transactions for mathematics and English language arts instructional materials in the four districts and the records of 24 other districts less extensively. They found that publishers failed to provide instructional materials free of charge equally to districts, as required by state law. It is a routine practice since districts are appropriate test grounds as potential buyers for large purchases in California’s $89-million annual textbook market.