Texas Education News
The second special session of the Texas Legislature is winding down and will end at the end of the month. At this time we do not anticipate any items to be added to the call for this special session and we do not expect the governor to call another special session unless the ruling on school finance is issued prior to January of 2015.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) met this week. They received several briefings on the legislative activity from the 83rd session and what work they have been directed to complete. Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and Representative Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen, chairman of the House Public Education Committee, spoke to the SBOE this week.
Aycock referenced the role parents played in passing HB 5 during the regular legislative session. Outrage over the amount of standardized testing in Texas schools brought parents across the state together in a grassroots campaign to push for changes during the session.
“It’s very rare that you see an idea catch on and spread like wildfire across an entire state,” Aycock said.
After Aycock’s remarks, the board decided to release a resolution clarifying some diploma standards for students graduating in 2014 and 2015. Because of the changes in HB 5, students graduating in those years no longer have to take four years of social studies and will now be allowed to take an upper-level class tailored to their interests.
The SBOE will meet again in early August to begin laying out a timeline for the work and to establish work committees.
Recent Education News
Leave HB 5 to school districts, Aycock tells SBOE
Let local school districts have as many choices as possible in implementing the state’s new sweeping high school curriculum changes, House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock told the State Board of Education on Friday.
CSCOPE changes focus on confusion at SBOE meeting
Near the end of this year’s regular legislative session, Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston, announced that the state-developed curriculum system known as CSCOPE would no longer provide Texas public schools with lesson plans. The decision came after outcry over a perceived anti-American agenda in the lesson plans, used in some part by 70 percent of Texas school districts.
House chairman warns against tracking of Texas students
House Public Education Committee Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock urged the State Board of Education Friday to avoid any changes that might lead to tracking of students under the new graduation requirements that will be installed by the board. Aycock, R-Killeen, addressed board members on a law passed by the Legislature this year that would sharply reduce high school testing and revamp graduation requirements to give students and schools more flexibility on course selection. The state board will adopt rules to implement the various provisions of the new law.
Editorial: Worth of new school marshal bill is in ability to opt out
Given what passes for logic and wisdom in the Texas Capitol when the subject is firearms, it was almost a pleasant surprise to see freshman Rep. Jason Villalba’s HB 1009 pass into law. In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., massacre, the Dallas Republican wanted to give Texas schools more protection options. His middle-ground solution was to give districts the option to participate in a secret marshal system, similar to those providing emergency security on U.S. airliners.
Texas’ criticized CSCOPE curriculum system may live again
Maybe CSCOPE’s not dead after all. The curriculum system designed to help teachers adhere to state educational requirements was trumpeted as disbanded in May by conservatives who criticized it as promoting anti-American values. But a top Texas Education Agency attorney suggested Wednesday that CSCOPE is now in the public domain, meaning its lesson plans and exams can be used in any districts where school boards authorize it.
Argyle to begin pilot program in arming school staff
The Argyle school district intends to pilot a program in which a select number of district staff members and officials are trained to be armed on campus. The school board approved the program in a 7-0 vote Monday. District officials say the pilot program is an opportunity for the board and administration to evaluate the training. The district intends to launch “Not on My Watch,” a safety and security program, and pay $650 per trainee.
TEA posts preliminary School FIRST ratings
Preliminary 2013 School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) ratings are now available in the online School FIRST system. School FIRST ratings are based on an analysis of the district’s financial data for fiscal year 2012 (the fiscal period ended June 30, 2012, or August 31, 2012, depending on the ending date of your district’s fiscal year).
TEA Posts Q&A on STAAR Progress Measure, Instructions on Calculating
The Texas Education Agency has posted a Question & Answer document regarding the STAAR progress measure. The progress measure provides information about the amount of improvement or growth that a student has made from year to year on the STAAR tests.
Texas Students to See Healthier Snacks in 2014
Public school students in Texas looking to recharge with a snack during the day may find fruits and vegetables instead of sugary, high-fat snacks in the vending machines next year.
State auditor finds lacking oversight of testing contract
After a report from the State Auditor’s Office pointed out flaws in the Texas Education Agency’s oversight of a $462 million testing contract, the agency said Tuesday it will “immediately” implement new monitoring guidelines.
Armed teachers in Canadian
We first told you about this story back in June. Teachers and staff would be selected by the school board, and trained, then allowed to carry guns on campus. It passed the school board in a unanimous vote July 16th. Canadian ISD superintendent Kyle Lynch says this issue has been on the front of their minds for a couple years. People in the community have mixed feelings about teachers being armed on school grounds.
TEA announces initial assessment requirements under HB 5
Under House Bill 5 (HB 5), passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature and signed by the governor, high school students are now required to pass five State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) end-of-course exams to meet the new graduation requirements.
Districts begin preparing for new guidelines on high school diplomas
As educators welcome the coming changes in state testing requirements, some school districts are looking ahead at another part of recently passed education reform. The state is expanding the courses that will count toward a high school diploma.
Left for dead, CSCOPE may live again
Maybe CSCOPE’s not dead after all. The curriculum system designed to help teachers adhere to state educational requirements was trumpeted as disbanded in May by conservatives who criticized it as promoting anti-American values. But a top Texas Education Agency attorney suggested Wednesday that CSCOPE is now in the public domain, meaning its lesson plans and exams can be used in any districts where school boards authorize it.
Some SBOE members unhappy with new laws
The daunting task of remaking Texas’ high school graduation requirements got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday as some key decision-makers scoffed at the new policy. Some members of the State Board of Education, which is responsible for much of the new law’s implementation, said they found the changes in House Bill 5 to be ill-conceived. The bill, the Legislature’s top education priority, won unanimous approval. “We’ve been handed this mess and we’ve been directed to work through it,” board member David Bradley, R-Beaumont, said at the board’s first meeting since the end of the regular legislative session in May.
Veto: Superintendents disappointed education bill didn’t pass
Superintendents across Texas are searching for other options after legislation they felt was fundamental to transforming education was vetoed recently by Gov. Rick Perry. HB 2836, authored by Rep. Bennett Ratliff (R-Coppell), would have reduced the number of State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests taken by third- through eighth-graders, with a required waiver.
Cyber-bullying and the law – what should school leaders know?
Since cyber-bullying often happens off school grounds, not on school computer equipment, and outside of school hours, what can K-12 schools really do in terms of getting involved? Can they, for example, discipline perpetrators?
Greg Abbott makes it official: He’s running for governor of Texas
UPDATE: Republican challenger Tom Pauken released a statement following the Abbott announcement. Here are key portions of that statement: “Greg Abbott deserves praise for overcoming the consequences of a serious personal accident. While I admire Greg Abbott personally for what he has accomplished since that accident, he and I have serious policy differences on a number of important issues and the role big money plays in American politics.
Huntsville ISD considers armed security
The Huntsville school district is considering hiring private security guards as part of its proposed budget for the 2013-2014 year. HISD Deputy Superintendent Sonny Cruse laid out a preliminary plan to hire four security officers from the local Professional Security at the budget workshop on Tuesday, July 16. Cruse said there was a need for more officers so that all campuses can have at least one guard at all time.
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