Texas State Board of Education News ~ 2017
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Click to view the State's
SBOE Webpage Highlights of the actions taken by the Texas State Board of Education Read minutes from all Committee Meetings here |
If you are unable to attend Public Hearings and want to submit your testimony,
please email your PDF to SBOESupport@tea.texas.gov / Phone: (512) 463-9007 / Fax: (512) 936-4319
please email your PDF to SBOESupport@tea.texas.gov / Phone: (512) 463-9007 / Fax: (512) 936-4319
November 2017
Long Range Plan Committee Meeting ~
click here to watch the recordings of presenters, committee discussions, and resources discussed.
Long Range Plan Committee Meeting ~
click here to watch the recordings of presenters, committee discussions, and resources discussed.
Policy & Reform:
Students working to achieve their Biotech Endorsement may now take Chemistry concurrently with Biotech1, as Chem is now recommended and no longer a state-mandated prerequisite;
AP Computer Science Principles now fulfills a Language Other Than English (LOTE) requirement;
Students assessed on the ACT Aspire must meet College Readiness Benchmarks on 3 of 5 subject areas;
Students striving to reach Outstanding Classification must score: SAT 1310, ACT Aspire, 28.
SBEC Rules: The State Board for Educator Certification submitted rules allowing any certified teacher to teach Family Consumer Science. The State Board of Education voted in support - rules go into effect 2019.
Additionally, SBEC submitted rules disallowing teachers with Master's degrees to become certified School Counselors via ESC alternative/accelerated programs. The State Board of Education voted this rule into effect, 2019.
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Proclamation 2018 Public Hearing Ethnic Studies Instruction Materials Scroll down to review the proposed instruction materials Watch the archived video here. We voted 14-1, disapproving the book for adoption. Click here to read my formal statement. Click on the image below to read the American Statesman article. |
Education Finance Committee: Representative Keven Ellis, District 9 (R-Lufkin) is the TXSBOE appointee. The first meeting is scheduled for 11 Jan, 8:30a. The committee meeting will be live-streamed and available on-demand.
Updates: The Social Studies Streamlining efforts are scheduled to begin in January 2018. There is still time to apply and/or nominate yourself/colleagues to the workgroups.
Updates: The Social Studies Streamlining efforts are scheduled to begin in January 2018. There is still time to apply and/or nominate yourself/colleagues to the workgroups.
September 2017
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Proclamation 2018 <<< click here for details The 2 instructional materials remaining (meaning they past all of the State's requirements) are: |
The Mexican American Studies Toolkit, publisher Kendall Hunt
Surviving the Angel of Death: The True Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz, publisher Tanglewood Publishing, Inc.
I invite you to review these materials as an Individual, join our Work Groups, and submit a formal review. For more information, please contact me.
If you prefer to submit your comments and/or review directly to the State, click here.
Click to visit the Proclamation 2018 webpage, where you can review reports listing publisher responses to errors and editorial changes reported by the state review panels, errors and editorial changes reported by publishers, and publisher responses to comments made by the state review panels.
Surviving the Angel of Death: The True Story of a Mengele Twin in Auschwitz, publisher Tanglewood Publishing, Inc.
I invite you to review these materials as an Individual, join our Work Groups, and submit a formal review. For more information, please contact me.
If you prefer to submit your comments and/or review directly to the State, click here.
Click to visit the Proclamation 2018 webpage, where you can review reports listing publisher responses to errors and editorial changes reported by the state review panels, errors and editorial changes reported by publishers, and publisher responses to comments made by the state review panels.
Social Studies TEKS Streamlining
We will be Reviewing Texas Social Studies courses beginning in January 2018. Click the image to view the schedule Download the schedule
We will be Reviewing Texas Social Studies courses beginning in January 2018. Click the image to view the schedule Download the schedule
- Read more about the Social Studies Review
- Apply to serve on the Social Studies TEKS Streamlining work groups
- Read more about our Review and Revision process
- English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
What does Streamlining mean? The State Board of Education, in collaboration with work groups comprised of experts, students, parents, educators, and stakeholders from across the state, will determine which TEKS are no longer to be tested.
"If it's not tested, it's not taught." Let's remember that we are talking about teachers - certified, credentialed, professional individuals who enter the career of education to make a difference in our children's lives. Let's treat them like the professionals they are and put an end to this false and negative rhetoric.
TEKS Review & Revision Process
In June, we approved a new (to Texas) Review & Revision process, inviting increased participation from classroom teachers. Read more
Click on the images to enlarge / download
In June, we approved a new (to Texas) Review & Revision process, inviting increased participation from classroom teachers. Read more
Click on the images to enlarge / download
Texas School Library Standards
In February of 2015, the Texas State Library & Archives Commission began the process of updated and revising the School Library Program: Standards and Guidelines for Texas - originally adopted in 2005. The 2017 revision is aligned with current Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code.
SBOE Committee on Instruction Discussion on School Library Standards
School Library Standards:
- Promote information literacy
- Provide access to information for inquiry
- Support reading
- Technology centers
- Safe and inviting centers for teaching and learning
- School libraries are essential, and most effective when staffed by full-time, certified school librarians.
The Goal: Great Student Outcomes! The revised standards are based in research correlating library resources and student achievement.
"Let's work together in an effort to provide all students with distinguished school libraries."
Dyslexia Update
The SBOE Committee on Instruction discussed the updates required as a result of the 85th Legislative Session:
TEC, §38.003 as amended by House Bill (HB) 1886, 85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, requires that a State Board of Education (SBOE) program that outlines screening or testing of students for dyslexia include screening at the end of the school year of each student in kindergarten and each student in the first grade.
For additional details, please review HB1886 and HB21
Students and Parents now have access to the Dyslexia Handbook
which contains guidelines for school districts to follow as they identify and provide services for students with dyslexia. Information regarding the state's dyslexia statutes and their relation to various federal laws is included.
Available in Spanish and English ~ click here
The SBOE Committee on Instruction discussed the updates required as a result of the 85th Legislative Session:
TEC, §38.003 as amended by House Bill (HB) 1886, 85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, requires that a State Board of Education (SBOE) program that outlines screening or testing of students for dyslexia include screening at the end of the school year of each student in kindergarten and each student in the first grade.
For additional details, please review HB1886 and HB21
Students and Parents now have access to the Dyslexia Handbook
which contains guidelines for school districts to follow as they identify and provide services for students with dyslexia. Information regarding the state's dyslexia statutes and their relation to various federal laws is included.
Available in Spanish and English ~ click here
Breaking News!!!
The Texas Education Agency has added a Spanish Language Support Team.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of the Agency for putting together a Spanish Language Support team.
In Spanish, there is a saying that goes, "Un hombre bilingüe vale por dos!"
In English: Someone who is bilingual is worth twice as much.
Our students are growing up in a world that gets smaller by the day thanks to break throughs in technology. In this ever shrinking world, it is vital for our country to maintain a competitive edge and our students to be fully prepared to participate in the global economy.
Language proficiency in more than one language is a huge step in giving our students the tools for success in the future. I appreciate the forward-thinking of the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency.
The irony that this announcement was made on the first day of Latino Heritage month was not lost on me.
The Texas Education Agency has added a Spanish Language Support Team.
I would like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts of the Agency for putting together a Spanish Language Support team.
In Spanish, there is a saying that goes, "Un hombre bilingüe vale por dos!"
In English: Someone who is bilingual is worth twice as much.
Our students are growing up in a world that gets smaller by the day thanks to break throughs in technology. In this ever shrinking world, it is vital for our country to maintain a competitive edge and our students to be fully prepared to participate in the global economy.
Language proficiency in more than one language is a huge step in giving our students the tools for success in the future. I appreciate the forward-thinking of the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency.
The irony that this announcement was made on the first day of Latino Heritage month was not lost on me.
Gracias por su dedicación y trabajo duro. De tener éxito mañana, significa prepararse hoy.
Estoy muy entusiasmada con lo que el futuro tiene para nuestros estudiantes."
2017 Texas State Board of Education Heroes for Children
The TXSBOE District 1 Hero for Children is Ms. Olga Charles of Uvalde CISD
The TXSBOE District 1 Hero for Children is Ms. Olga Charles of Uvalde CISD
“Whether it is serving as a life coach, helping in the classroom, organizing the annual Christmas parade or helping students do research at the library, Olga Charles is at school every day helping our students.”
Mrs. Olga Charles, Uvalde CISD - seated, bottom right
June 2017
High School English & Spanish Language Arts and ESOL Standards Approved!
Again, we received unanimous support for the ESOL and ENG I-IV Standards we proposed! Special thanks to our writing team: Ms. Marianne Sotelo, Ms. Lucia Palomino, Ms. Nicole Hohensee, and Ms. Shannon McCombs, who represented classroom practitioners from across the State and all 20 ESCs.
Revised high school English language arts and reading curriculum standards and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum standards won final approval from State Board of Education members June 23 on a 13-0 vote. The new high school TEKS will be implemented in the 2020-2021 school year.
Long-range plan committee being established
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my colleagues for the confidence they have in me as a newly elected board member to serve on the Long-Range Plan Committee.
Throughout my career in curriculum development, I have seen first hand the echoes of decisions we make implemented in the classrooms of schools across Texas.Indeed, it has been my career’s focus before and after my election to the State Board of Education. Although at times we may differ on policy, we will never disagree about the importance of Texas students learning in the classroom.
The State Board of Education has begun establishing the membership of the 18-member Long-Range Plan Steering Committee. The public nomination period is now open. This committee will help the board establish goals for public education for the next five to seven years. Community meetings and a statewide survey will also help inform the crafting of these goals.
Revised Science TEKS posted
The revised science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for kindergarten through twelfth grade, which were approved by the board in April, are now posted. Unlike the recently approved language arts and reading standards which underwent major restructuring and revisions, the science TEKS were streamlined or reduced. The streamlining was done in response to concerns that it was difficult to teach all the grade-level standards during a standard school year.
Summary of June SBOE action posted
A summary of action taken at the June 23 State Board of Education general meeting is posted at here.
Students recognized for charitable, unselfish work
The State Board of Education recently honored 15 public school students as 2017 Student Heroes for exhibiting caring and compassionate assistance to people in their schools and communities. Some of their activities included tutoring, preparing bags of essential items for foster care children, creating a drum line, assisting students with disabilities and hosting birthday parties for homeless children.
High School English & Spanish Language Arts and ESOL Standards Approved!
Again, we received unanimous support for the ESOL and ENG I-IV Standards we proposed! Special thanks to our writing team: Ms. Marianne Sotelo, Ms. Lucia Palomino, Ms. Nicole Hohensee, and Ms. Shannon McCombs, who represented classroom practitioners from across the State and all 20 ESCs.
Revised high school English language arts and reading curriculum standards and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum standards won final approval from State Board of Education members June 23 on a 13-0 vote. The new high school TEKS will be implemented in the 2020-2021 school year.
Long-range plan committee being established
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my colleagues for the confidence they have in me as a newly elected board member to serve on the Long-Range Plan Committee.
Throughout my career in curriculum development, I have seen first hand the echoes of decisions we make implemented in the classrooms of schools across Texas.Indeed, it has been my career’s focus before and after my election to the State Board of Education. Although at times we may differ on policy, we will never disagree about the importance of Texas students learning in the classroom.
The State Board of Education has begun establishing the membership of the 18-member Long-Range Plan Steering Committee. The public nomination period is now open. This committee will help the board establish goals for public education for the next five to seven years. Community meetings and a statewide survey will also help inform the crafting of these goals.
Revised Science TEKS posted
The revised science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for kindergarten through twelfth grade, which were approved by the board in April, are now posted. Unlike the recently approved language arts and reading standards which underwent major restructuring and revisions, the science TEKS were streamlined or reduced. The streamlining was done in response to concerns that it was difficult to teach all the grade-level standards during a standard school year.
Summary of June SBOE action posted
A summary of action taken at the June 23 State Board of Education general meeting is posted at here.
Students recognized for charitable, unselfish work
The State Board of Education recently honored 15 public school students as 2017 Student Heroes for exhibiting caring and compassionate assistance to people in their schools and communities. Some of their activities included tutoring, preparing bags of essential items for foster care children, creating a drum line, assisting students with disabilities and hosting birthday parties for homeless children.
Education in Special Session:
The Governor called a Special Session for July 18. The top priority is sunset legislation for the medical board. He said after that sunset bill is approved by the Senate, he will add 19 other issues to the agenda. A number of those are education related, including:
Which agenda items were accomplished?
The Governor called a Special Session for July 18. The top priority is sunset legislation for the medical board. He said after that sunset bill is approved by the Senate, he will add 19 other issues to the agenda. A number of those are education related, including:
- Increasing teacher pay by $1,000 without costing taxpayers a penny more – apparently by reprioritizing spending.
- Giving administrators greater hiring and firing flexibility
- Creating a Texas Commission on School Finance Reform
- Creating a school choice plan for special education students
- Enacting property tax reform.
Which agenda items were accomplished?
- Giving administrators greater hiring and firing flexibility
- Creating a Texas Commission on School Finance Reform
- Creating a school choice plan for special education students
Education Bills signed into Legislation
(during the 85th Regular Session)
The 85th Regular Legislative Session provided many opportunities to serve as an asset and resource to our House Representatives and Senators to file bills and amendments, working the legislation in order to provide good education policy for the students of Texas ISDs. Here are some of the bills we worked on:
HB 22, the A-F Public School Evaluation System bill, signed 15 June 2017 - reducing the number of categories from five to four in which schools and districts would be graded under the A-F accountability system. Those categories would evaluate how students perform on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, how schools and districts improve on the STAAR compared to similar campuses statewide, how schools and districts evaluate themselves on performance, and how schools and districts close academic gaps among racial and socioeconomic groups and students who are English and non-English speakers. Read TASA's summary
Below, is a condensed version of HB22, approved by the TxLege:
- does not delay A-F ratings for districts (first official ratings scheduled for August 2018)
- delays A-F for campuses until 2019
- requires an overall rating as well as a rating for each domain
- reduces the system from five to three domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps
- differentiates between D (needs improvement) and F (unacceptable) ratings
- requires that the method used to evaluate performance for purposes of assigning school districts and campuses an overall and a domain performance rating allows for the mathematical possibility that all districts and campuses receive an A rating
- gives commissioner broad authority
- requires the commissioner to adopt rules for a local accountability system regarding the assignment of campus performance ratings by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
Below, is a condensed version of HB22, approved by the TxLege:
HB 657, requires an ARD committee to meet before a special education student is administered the state assessment a second time. It would also allow the ARD committee to promote the student to the next grade level without administering the assessment again if the committee concludes that the student has made sufficient progress in the measurable academic goals contained in the student’s IEP. Signed 29 May 2017
HB 674, the Ban on Early Childhood Suspension bill, which prohibits suspension of a student enrolled in a grade level below grade three from public school and to a positive behavior program for public schools. Signed 12 June 2017
HB 728, requires the SBOE to develop and implement an Advanced Computer Science Program under which students could complete an advanced mathematics or advanced computer science course. (Current public school computer science courses often do not count toward a student's required coursework nor do they meet entrance requirements for college.) Under the program, school districts will implement rigorous standards, developed by the SBOE, for computer science courses focused on the creation and use of software and computing technologies. HB 728 takes effect immediately (upon governor's signature or inaction — see below) because it received a vote of at least two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. Signed 26 May 2017
SB 463, the Individual Graduation Committee bill, which allows high school students to perform portfolio work and assessments to complete graduation requirements. This one is special due to the amendment providing this opportunity to STAAR and TAKS students. Prior to this amendment, IGC was available to only STAAR/EOC students. Now, individuals who did not receive their high school diplomas during the TAKS administration have a Path to Diploma. Signed 9 June 2017
SB 671, the Public High School Graduation Credit requirements for a Language Other than English bill, requiring the State Board of Education to adopt criteria to allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirement for one credit under Subsection (b-1)(5) by successfully completing a dual language immersion program under Section28.0051 at an elementary school. Signed 22 May 2017
SB 725, the Fairness in Feeding Act, which allows the donation and distribution of surplus food at public schools and grace period policies for public school students with insufficient balances on prepaid meal cards. This bill absorbed portions of a previous bill (killed by the Freedom Caucus) which would have put an end to lunch shaming. Unlike the bills above, our office did not write portions of either bill. We supported by bringing awareness to our community and paying off cafeteria balances, putting an end to lunch shaming. You can follow and join our efforts at #PaidLunch and #EveryoneEats on social media. Signed 9 June 2017
SB 801, a Suitability bill, signed 9 June 2017 - allowing the Texas State Board of Education to issue a statement as to the suitability (or appropriateness) of proposed instructional materials. In order to be "suitable" materials must be:
The Texas State Board of Education current process: (review online)
All text books & instructional materials are:
SB 826, the high school course sequencing bill which will allow students to double-up in and/or modify from current sequencing in English, Math, Science, and CTE - is headed to the governor’s office. The Senate concurred in House amendments yesterday. The latest version of the bill is attached. The final Senate vote was 31-0 so the bill did achieve the two-thirds votes needed in both chambers to take immediate effect if the governor either signs the bill or lets it become law without his signature. Signed 29 May 2017
Review TASAs "Bills sent to the Governor's desk"
Dead Bills at Regular Session
HB 21 – A school finance bill with an education savings account program added died when the House and Senate could not reach a compromise.
HB 515 – This was a student assessment bill that originally would have eliminated the current promotion requirements tied to standardized tests and eliminated social studies STAAR exams.
SB 1883 – This bill would have created an appeal route for charter applicants that were not initially granted an interview and would have eliminated the SBOE’s veto authority.
SB 1776 – This bill would have eliminated the STAAR U.S. History end-of-course exam and substituted it with a test given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
HB 674, the Ban on Early Childhood Suspension bill, which prohibits suspension of a student enrolled in a grade level below grade three from public school and to a positive behavior program for public schools. Signed 12 June 2017
HB 728, requires the SBOE to develop and implement an Advanced Computer Science Program under which students could complete an advanced mathematics or advanced computer science course. (Current public school computer science courses often do not count toward a student's required coursework nor do they meet entrance requirements for college.) Under the program, school districts will implement rigorous standards, developed by the SBOE, for computer science courses focused on the creation and use of software and computing technologies. HB 728 takes effect immediately (upon governor's signature or inaction — see below) because it received a vote of at least two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. Signed 26 May 2017
SB 463, the Individual Graduation Committee bill, which allows high school students to perform portfolio work and assessments to complete graduation requirements. This one is special due to the amendment providing this opportunity to STAAR and TAKS students. Prior to this amendment, IGC was available to only STAAR/EOC students. Now, individuals who did not receive their high school diplomas during the TAKS administration have a Path to Diploma. Signed 9 June 2017
SB 671, the Public High School Graduation Credit requirements for a Language Other than English bill, requiring the State Board of Education to adopt criteria to allow a student to comply with the curriculum requirement for one credit under Subsection (b-1)(5) by successfully completing a dual language immersion program under Section28.0051 at an elementary school. Signed 22 May 2017
SB 725, the Fairness in Feeding Act, which allows the donation and distribution of surplus food at public schools and grace period policies for public school students with insufficient balances on prepaid meal cards. This bill absorbed portions of a previous bill (killed by the Freedom Caucus) which would have put an end to lunch shaming. Unlike the bills above, our office did not write portions of either bill. We supported by bringing awareness to our community and paying off cafeteria balances, putting an end to lunch shaming. You can follow and join our efforts at #PaidLunch and #EveryoneEats on social media. Signed 9 June 2017
SB 801, a Suitability bill, signed 9 June 2017 - allowing the Texas State Board of Education to issue a statement as to the suitability (or appropriateness) of proposed instructional materials. In order to be "suitable" materials must be:
- Free from factual errors;
- Suitable for the subject and grade level for which the instructional material was submitted; and
- Reviewed by academic experts in the subject and grade level for which the instructional material was submitted. (Senate Amendment made by Silvia Garcia (Houston-D).
The Texas State Board of Education current process: (review online)
All text books & instructional materials are:
- Available online for review and public comment
- Available at all ESCs for review and public comment
- SBOE Review Committee (consisting of educators in K-12 & Higher Ed; i.e. experts currently teaching the content in Texas ISDs and degreed professionals in content area )
- TEA State Review Committee
- SBOE Public Hearing: 1st Reading
- SBOE Public Hearing: 2nd Reading/Final Adoption
SB 826, the high school course sequencing bill which will allow students to double-up in and/or modify from current sequencing in English, Math, Science, and CTE - is headed to the governor’s office. The Senate concurred in House amendments yesterday. The latest version of the bill is attached. The final Senate vote was 31-0 so the bill did achieve the two-thirds votes needed in both chambers to take immediate effect if the governor either signs the bill or lets it become law without his signature. Signed 29 May 2017
Review TASAs "Bills sent to the Governor's desk"
Dead Bills at Regular Session
HB 21 – A school finance bill with an education savings account program added died when the House and Senate could not reach a compromise.
HB 515 – This was a student assessment bill that originally would have eliminated the current promotion requirements tied to standardized tests and eliminated social studies STAAR exams.
SB 1883 – This bill would have created an appeal route for charter applicants that were not initially granted an interview and would have eliminated the SBOE’s veto authority.
SB 1776 – This bill would have eliminated the STAAR U.S. History end-of-course exam and substituted it with a test given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
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El Paso ISD Dual Language Teachers Recognized, 16 May 2017
Our office has the very distinguished honor of announcing that every one of the Spanish Language Arts and Reading recommendations - totaling over 20 pages of amendments - was voted upon unanimously, creating the best and most rigorous SLAR standards the students of Texas have ever had. The reason this is significant is because the work originates in Region XIX, the area which demonstrates the most success with English Language Learners - framing this course of study for every Language Learner and Dual Language Learner in the state. Since El Paso has demonstrated mastery in this area better than anyone else, it makes sense that we would lead the way for the rest of the state of Texas. Read more here
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2017 Student Hero Award
Each year, we have the honor of naming the Texas State Board of Education, District 1 Student Hero. This year, the award goes to Ms. Amanda Aguirre, a 5th grade student in Laredo ISD.
Among the many reasons that Amanda is deserving of this award and much more: she has donated her hair to Locks of Love twice and is working on her third donation now. Additionally, she makes care packages for children whose parents are deployed, goodie bags for families in need, collects bottle tops for free cancer treatments for children, and donates books to her community church. It is not everyday that we are blessed to have angels walking amongst us ~ we are truly the fortunate to have Amanda with us.
The world could use more Amandas.
Each year, we have the honor of naming the Texas State Board of Education, District 1 Student Hero. This year, the award goes to Ms. Amanda Aguirre, a 5th grade student in Laredo ISD.
Among the many reasons that Amanda is deserving of this award and much more: she has donated her hair to Locks of Love twice and is working on her third donation now. Additionally, she makes care packages for children whose parents are deployed, goodie bags for families in need, collects bottle tops for free cancer treatments for children, and donates books to her community church. It is not everyday that we are blessed to have angels walking amongst us ~ we are truly the fortunate to have Amanda with us.
The world could use more Amandas.
April 2017
What a week! Here's what happened in the world of serving Texas students:
Preparing Texas students to be 21st Century STEM Champions
During the Public Hearing on Science Standards (TEKS), these four educators testified on the importance of authentic and effective Science education, focusing on the best interest of Texas students.
Photo from left to right: Barbara Cargill (SBOE 8), Karina Martinez-Bray, Chemistry (Irving ISD), Aicha Davis, Physics and Chemistry (DeSoto ISD), Lynlie Brown, Biology (Grapevine-Colleyville ISD), Georgina C. Perez (SBOE 1), Stephanie Strike, Physics (Irving ISD)
During the Public Hearing on Science Standards (TEKS), these four educators testified on the importance of authentic and effective Science education, focusing on the best interest of Texas students.
Photo from left to right: Barbara Cargill (SBOE 8), Karina Martinez-Bray, Chemistry (Irving ISD), Aicha Davis, Physics and Chemistry (DeSoto ISD), Lynlie Brown, Biology (Grapevine-Colleyville ISD), Georgina C. Perez (SBOE 1), Stephanie Strike, Physics (Irving ISD)
"State panel limits teaching phenomena that challenge evolution"
Read the article |
“For the first time in decades, the science standards contain no controversial student expectations and represent mainstream science. Also for the first time, the board reached out to teachers for ongoing comment on their amendments and paid attention to the experts in the classroom.” |
Spanish: a syllabic language
The Public Hearing on Spanish Language Arts & Reading put El Paso educators in the spotlight... and what a show! Over 20 pages of amendments - all passed unanimously, resulting in some of the best Language Arts and Reading standards Texas dual-language learners have ever received. Read the amendments
Photo from left to right: Lucia Palomino, Dual Language Teacher (El Paso ISD), Donna Bahorich (SBOE Chair) Georgina C. Pérez (SBOE District 1), Marianne Sotelo, Dual-Language Teacher (El Paso ISD), Maria Eugenia Rapozo, Dual-Language Teacher (El Paso ISD), Margarita Compean, Dual-Language Teacher Facilitator (El Paso ISD)
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The background work: Yes, lots and lots of time and effort goes into creating great documents for our students. Check out the first ever, live-stream, statewide teacher workgroup revising standards in a collaborative and transparent effort. Educators from Region 19 (El Paso), Region 13 (Austin), Alief ISD (Houston), Canutillo ISD, El Paso ISD, San Elizario ISD, La Fe Prep, and Ft Hancock ISD (Hudspeth) - all working on Spanish and English Language Arts and Reading so our Spanish speaking students learn English well... and our English speaking students learn Spanish well, side by side in Dual-Language classrooms across Texas. |
Committee on Instruction discusses a high school Comparative Literature course
Board member Georgina C. Pérez, D-El Paso, has proposed a comparative literature class for juniors or seniors that would include works by authors from diverse backgrounds. The optional course would fulfill students’ English 3 or 4 requirement and would follow established curriculum, so the board wouldn’t have to take on the complicated and lengthy process of creating new curriculum standards. Read the article
Board member Georgina C. Pérez, D-El Paso, has proposed a comparative literature class for juniors or seniors that would include works by authors from diverse backgrounds. The optional course would fulfill students’ English 3 or 4 requirement and would follow established curriculum, so the board wouldn’t have to take on the complicated and lengthy process of creating new curriculum standards. Read the article
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“The definition of comparative literature is not exclusive of one ethnic group or one cultural group,”Peérez said. “It’s comparative literature of a variety of ethnicities and cultures and historical periods, but the most important thing for a successful comparative literature course is that it is responsive and reflective of the students in the classroom as well as the community.”
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Watch our archived April session videos online
PREVIEW OF THE JUNE 2017 SESSION
TEKS Review Schedule
TEKS Review Schedule
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Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees This week, the CISD Board of Trustees proposed a misguided resolution containing discriminatory terminology, aimed at low-income students. Here is some of the media coverage: El Paso Times, KTSM, KFOX, KVIA, El Diario, and our released statement read at the CISD School Board meeting. 17 Feb 2017 |
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"Considero que si el Estado necesitaba saber nuestra opinión, debe de estipular una resolución más concreta y por supuesto revisar la terminología y el lenguaje usado, porque esta resolución en particular es bastante confusa, el lenguaje es discriminatorio, vergonzoso, hiriente y un insulto a la comunidad y a la historia de la comunidad. |
"Let us not forget that this body exists for the purpose of public education - not a private school, not a parochial institution or corporate charter school that selectively chooses the children the entity wishes to serve. You are here for all students, not just those with more money, those with more resources, or those with, as one board member put it in the paper, fewer “social and related problems" without the funding necessary to address those problems. |
February 2017
I want to take this opportunity to bring you all up to speed on what we were able to accomplish at the first meeting of the Texas State Board of Education for this term.
On a personal note, it was very exciting for me because it was my first meeting as your member representative of District 1. Here are a few of the highlights from last week:
Public Participation
I have been committed to ensuring that the TXSBOE is more inclusive for all Texans. I proposed a rule change that would prevent the Chair from limiting public comment to just 30 minutes. Previously if you drove all the way to Austin from El Paso, Odessa, the Trans-Pecos area, or Laredo to address the Board, there was a good chance you wouldn’t even be heard. Now everyone will get their opportunity to address the Board.
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Science Standards, Streamlining We demonstrated that the 4 TEKS in question, focusing on theories outside of the realm of science - leading students to question evolution and introduce creationism - were never written by teachers or scientists, rather they were written by TXSBOE members in 2009. In this article written by former TXSBOE Chair Don McLeroy (appointed by Gov. Rick Perry), who put passages in standards, said he wanted to lead students to creationism. |
English Language Arts & Reading Standards
We worked closely with professionals from Region XIX before the meeting and took suggested amendments for K-8 to Austin for consideration. We were able to pass all amendments K-8, submitted by the Region XIX teacher group without opposition.
Spanish Language Arts & Reading Standards
Because Region XIX leads the state in SLAR and ESL success, our suggested amendments were accepted and we will be sharing our strategies with the rest of the state with the hopes of duplicating our success in this area across Texas.
Please note: The Public Comment period will soon open for the aforementioned amendments to be reviewed by all stakeholders. Please feel free to submit your feed back to our office at: Georgina.Perez@tea.texas.gov
and/or: sboesupport@tea.texas.gov
- 2nd, and Final, Reading of Science, ELAR K-8, SLAR K-8, and ESL TEKS will occur in April 2017.
- 1st Reading of ELAR 9-12 and SLAR 9-12 TEKS, will occur in April 2017.
February Meeting Wrap-Up
Read the summary of votes taken at the Jan. 31 and Feb. 3 General Meetings of the Board.
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