Schwarzenegger embraces open source digital text books, shame it won’t solve the budget problem

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has embraced open source digital text books for California schools as a way to save the state money.

The proposal, as part of Schwarzenegger’s plan to cut California’s budget deficit, would save the state around $350 million a year. The figure would usually be highly impressive, until you consider that the California is currently suffering a $24 billion budget gap.

Pundits though consider the move a positive one (despite the small saving), and note that California embracing open source digital text books could be the start of a national movement. Other states, many desperate to make cuts of their own, may follw California’s lead.

Another reason in favor of the move is the ability for digital text books to remain up-to-date; print text books in California are only refreshed on a six year basis. “So just think about the last six years, all the things that happened,” Schwarzenegger said. “For instance, the Iraq war, the country’s first African-American president … all of this you wouldn’t have in those textbooks.”