Banning the Basal

From an article on Edutopia regarding textbook reform, this key point happens to describe exactly what I do in science and history (Deo Gratias for the library!):

Reduce basals to reference books -- slim core texts that set forth as clearly as a dictionary the essential skills and information to be learned at each grade level in each subject. In content areas like history and science, the core texts would be like mini-encyclopedias, fact-checked by experts in the field and then reviewed by master teachers for scope and sequence.
Dull? No, because these cores would not be the actual instructional material students would use. They would be analogous to operating systems in the world of software. If there are only a few of these and they're pretty similar, it's OK. Local districts and classroom teachers would receive funds enabling them to assemble their own constellations of lessons and supporting materials around the core texts, purchased not from a few behemoths but from hundreds of smaller publishing houses such as those that currently supply the supplementary-textbook industry.
The possibilities are endless. And shouldn't endless possibility be the point?

Return teaching as a profession and give them the chance to love what they do again by immersing themselves in the whole process. Can't think of a better way to ensure the almighty accountability while respecting those who are in the trenches.