Education
ALERT for Texas schools--contact GOV. PERRY
ALERT
To CWA and those who care about Texas schools:
An immediate need is for calls to Governor Perry's office to express concerns about the Governor's appointment of a new Commissioner of Education. This appointment could be made anytime. Contact numbers are below.
Why Johnny is Reading Islamist Propoganda?
Texas Attorney General Affirms Elected Texas State Board of Education Members’ Rights
By Terri Leo:
Attorney General Gregg Abbott's opinion today corrects a 10-year old misinterpretation of the Texas Education Code (TEC) by Dan Morales.
TEXAS FLIM FLAM: WHERE 35 IS A PASSING GRADE
www.dallasblog.com
August 1, 2006
By William Lutz
Reprinted with Permission
Only at the Texas Education Agency is 35 percent a passing grade.
That’s right, schools rated “acceptable” this week by the Texas Education Agency only needed to have 35 percent of their students pass the science portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). But there’s another story lurking behind the curtain. The reality of the Texas public school system varies dramatically from all the “happy talk” Texans have heard from successive commissioners of education.
OPINION: Neeley task force not yet ready for prime time
The Lone Star Report
August 4, 2006
by William Lutz
Reprinted with Permission
Whom does Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley think she's kidding?
For the past two years, Texas newspapers have run stories about consultant reports that suggest rampant cheating on the state's standardized test, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
Public Servants…or…Public Masters?
"Such a naked display of power wielded against the very folks that pay the salaries of TAC, is repugnant to many AFP citizen leaders. Appalled, Terri Leo [State Board of Education, District 6] fumed; 'Once again it is an absolute outrage that the Texas Association of Counties continues to use the taxpayers’ money to oppose taxpayer protections! Citizens need to recognize these bullies and their use of intimidation for what it is; the ugly face of intolerance for the very taxpayers whose trough they so generously feed upon.'"
Full Article: http://americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=1877
SBOE's Authority Attacked Again
Many joke that they breathe a sigh of relief when the Texas Legislature adjourns and state lawmakers head back home to their constituents. State Board of Education members didn't consider it a joking matter this spring, however, at the close of the legislature's third special session on school finance. Regardless of one's impressions of the resulting bills to provide property tax relief, extra funding for teachers and classrooms, and a reworking of the business franchise tax, one thing seems clear as pertains to the role of the SBOE: The attack on its authority continues.
