AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The State Board of Education has preliminarily adopted new standards that will direct Texas teachers in social studies, history and economics for millions of students for the next decade.

The board voted 11-4 Friday to adopt the standards. A final vote is expected in May.

In almost three days of testimony and emotional debate, the board's far-right faction wielded their power to shape lessons on the civil rights movement, the U.S. free enterprise system and hundreds of other topics. An amendment to ensure that children learn the United States was founded on the prinicple of religious freedom failed.

Democrat Mavis Knight of Dallas explained her vote against the standards. She said, "We have been about conservatism versus liberalism. We have manipulated strands to insert what we want it to be in the document, regardless as to whether or not it's appropriate."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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