THE CARGILL CONNECTION, February 2007

Dear friends and supporters, It is my hope that you had a blessed Christmas season and that 2007 has started off with you and your family in good health. My husband and I had a wonderful time just “hanging out” with our three sons. His parents came for a visit and then we drove to Memphis to be with my mother and other family members. Being without my dad for the first time was hard, but I know Mom loved having six of her nine grandchildren there to keep her smiling!

It’s time to keep you up-to-date on some important State Board of Education news. We meet February 7-9 in Austin. Since the Legislature is also in session, we will be extra busy. I am looking forward to starting my third year as your representative on the State Board!

ON THE FEBRUARY SBOE MEETING AGENDA:

Here is a description of some of the items that are on the February agenda for our 3-day meeting. To see a complete copy of what is covered on each day, go to the Texas Education Agency website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us. The agenda is posted under “State Board of Education and Commissioner” (on the left). After that screen appears, click on “Meeting Schedule and Agendas” (on the right).

Note: My thoughts appear in blue italics after a few of these items.

Review and Adoption of State Board of Education Operating Rules:

Pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.107, at the first regular meeting after the election and qualification of new members, the board shall adopt rules of procedure. This item provides an opportunity for the board to review existing operating rules to determine if changes and revisions are needed.

Election of State Board of Education Officers: Pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.107, at the first regular meeting after the election and qualification of new State Board of Education (SBOE) members, the board shall elect by separate votes a vice chair and a secretary.

Announcement of Membership of Standing Committees: Pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Education Code, §7.107, at the board's first regular meeting after the election and qualification of new members, the board shall organize.

Discussion of Secondary Reading: At the request of a board member, this item provides the opportunity for the State Board of Education (SBOE) to hear a presentation by Dr. William Labov on the latest research on secondary reading.

Discussion of 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter F, Graduation Requirements, Beginning with School Year 2007-2008, §74.62, Minimum High School Program: This item was requested by a board member and provides the opportunity for the board to discuss the Minimum Graduation Program. (Remember that in November, the SBOE made wise decisions about some of the math and science courses being offered in Texas. By law, starting with the freshmen class of 2007-2008, students on the Recommended or Distinguished graduation plans will be required to take four years of math and science. Now we are taking a look at the requirements for the Minimum graduation plan to ensure that our students on that plan are also being provided with quality course choices.)

Update on English Language Arts and Reading TEKS Revision: This item provides the opportunity for the board to hear an update on the process for revising the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR). (If you have kept up with my previous newsletters, you know how excited I am about this! Our ten year old ELAR curriculum standards need to be updated and improved, and I look forward to a progress report on the process. ELAR educators from across our state, including two of our fantastic panel members from District 8, met in Austin this past weekend to share their expertise with TEA staff. A heart-felt thanks goes to these dedicated volunteers who are helping improve the curriculum standards. Our schoolchildren will benefit greatly from having clear, concise, measurable standards that teachers will be able to use with ease and understanding. The secondary ELAR teachers will be meeting in a few weeks. Remember there will be a time for public input as the process continues. I will let you know when that is so that you can share your comments with the SBOE and TEA staff about the proposed improvements.)

Update on Development of New Earth and Space Science and Engineering Courses: This item provides the opportunity for the board to hear an update on the process for development of new Earth and Space Science and Engineering courses.

Discussion of SBOE Review of Ancillary Materials: This item provides the opportunity to discuss options for changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 66 regarding State Board of Education (SBOE) consideration of ancillaries provided by publishers in support of instructional materials submitted for adoption.

Discussion of 19 TAC Chapter 74 Curriculum Requirements Subchapter C, Other Provisions, 74.32, Physical Activity Programs for Students in Kindergarten-Grade 8: This item was requested by a board member and provides the opportunity for the board to review the requirements for physical activity in middle school. (Two weeks ago, many parents in my local school district, Conroe ISD, contacted me to ask why their children in middle school would not be allowed to continue early release for high-level athletic sports. Good question! Upon many further discussions with TEA staff, including the TEA attorney, it is obvious that language in the TAC (Texas Administrative Code) is confusing. Hopefully we will be able to clear this up at our board meeting this week. I have also been assured by TEA staff that Conroe ISD students will be allowed to continue early release next year—please wait for official word from the school district. I want to thank the parents and administrators in CISD for contacting me and allowing me to help them on this important issue!)

ACTION ITEMS: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR KIDS!

You may or may not know that State Board members do not receive a salary nor do we have a staff. If you are interested in helping me with some of the education issues that arise, please let me know. There are administrative tasks that need attention. For example, many of the 140 superintendents in my SBOE district change from year to year, and I would love help updating their contact information. With the legislature in session, I need help researching various issues. Please let me know if you have a little time to spare for a worthy cause---our schoolchildren! You can contact me at sboecargill@sbcglobal.net or 281-465-8095. Thank you!

Did you know that I have a prayer team who prays for me before and during each State Board meeting? I could not do my job without their prayer support! If you are interested in being on my prayer team, please let me know at sboecargill@sbcglobal.net or call 281-465-8095. My dear friend Virginia Johnson sends out my prayer requests a few days before the board meetings. Thank you!

Need to contact your representative or senator?

State Senator: first.last@senate.state.tx.us

State Representative: first.last@house.state.tx.us

Governor Perry's opinion line: 800-252-9600

OTHER HAPPENINGS:

Please contact me at sboecargill@sbcglobal.net if you would like to invite me to visit your school or club meeting. If it is a speaking engagement, we have lively discussions about the TAKS test, textbooks, the TEKS (state curriculum standards), technology and other current education issues!

January 18: Speaker at Lake Conroe Area Republican Women’s Club in Montgomery, TX

January 28-29: TASA convention in Austin

February 7-9: SBOE meetings in Austin

February 12: Speaker at The Woodlands Women’s Republican Club

February 23: Brief message and introduction of Jack Canfield (see more information below)

Every time the board meets for its official 3-day meeting, a member is asked to invite a group of students to perform. My turn is this month, and I am delighted that the RDSPD Program (Regional Day School Program for the Deaf) from Barbara Bush Elementary in The Woodlands is traveling to Austin to perform. This wonderful program serves about 75 children with hearing losses ranging from mild to profound. Under the direction of teacher Suzanne Kehlenbeck, these precious little ones will sing or sign the Pledge of Allegiance, several songs, and a poem. The children have been practicing diligently for several weeks, and I know they will melt our hearts and make all of us very proud!

Congratulations to Representative Rob Eissler (R, The Woodlands) who was recently appointed to serve as Chairman of the House Public Education Committee. I am very proud of Rob and look forward to great things happening in education under his leadership. Rob has made himself very available to the SBOE and for that I am truly grateful. Open communication with the legislature can make a huge difference in what our state can do for our schoolchildren.

Attention educators: Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties, Inc. (JLNHSMC) is proud to present Jack Canfield to the greater Houston Community. Dr. Jack Canfield’s workshop/seminar “Chicken Soup for the Texas Soul” will be held on February 23rd and February 24th, 2007, at Fellowship of The Woodlands, The Woodlands, Texas. The seminar will kick-off the evening of February 23rd from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm with a VIP welcome reception followed by an introduction by Barbara Cargill, State Board of Education Member, who will speak briefly and introduce Jack Canfield to the community. On Saturday, February 24th the workshop targets educators and counselors and begins at 7:30 am. ALL educators and counselors receive 4 Continuing Education credits for attending the workshop held on Saturday morning, February 24th. Tickets are $20 and are good for both Friday, February 23rd and Saturday, February 24th events. Group discounts are available by calling 888-TEX-SOUL. For additional information, visit www.TexasSoul.org.

More reasons why the Texas ELAR curriculum standards need to be improved: On the most recent SAT test (Graduating Class of 2006), 36 states had higher multiple-choice grammar scores than did Texas students and 43 states had higher essay scores than did Texas students. On the 2006 ACT writing section, Texas students scored 20.4 on the grammar part; the national average was 22.4. This was a two point deficit on a test which has 36 total points. Change is difficult but obviously the time for change has come, and the best place to start is with the ELAR curriculum standards.

FAMILY CORNER:

This is a well done YouTube video. M. J. McDermott is a meteorologist who gives the morning weather forecast on Channel 13, Seattle, Washington. She explains what is wrong with Everyday Math and TERC which are two math programs used in many schools throughout the United States. She tells how and why she got involved fighting "reform math." After you watch this video, you may understand why many of us on the SBOE are trying to gain more authority in textbook adoption policies in our state. By law, the SBOE can only reject textbooks if they have factual errors or if they do not meet the TEKS (the curriculum standards). Therefore, bad teaching methods may be in some of the books that are adopted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI

For those of you with high school-aged (or soon to be) children, you may find this article about AP courses and dual-enrollment courses interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012801238.html

For the next 140 days, Texans across the state can watch as legislation is filed, debated and passed, by logging onto the Texas Legislature online. Go to www.capitol.state.tx.us, to watch committee hearings, check the status of a bill, or hear floor debate. Some key dates to keep in mind are:

February 7--Committees begin meeting

March 9--Deadline to file bills

May 28--Adjourn Sine Die

June 17--Deadline for Governor Perry to sign or veto bills

August 27--the 91st day after Sine Die, when bills can become law (unless otherwise noted)

Here are some interesting tidbits for you about your 80th Texas Legislature:

Days in session: 140

Texas House members: 150

Texas Senators: 31

Bills Filed So Far In House: 492 (this changes constantly)

Bills Filed So Far In Senate: 153 (this changes constantly)

House Republicans: 82

House Democrats: 68

House Freshmen: 23

Women in House: 21

Men in House: 129

Senate Republicans: 20

Senate Democrats: 11

Senate Freshmen: 5

Women in Senate: 4

Men in Senate: 27

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Thank you for your interest in public education in Texas. I look forward to serving you in my third year as your SBOE member. Please stay in touch if any need should arise.

I love these words:

"Each day can be lived in victory as we draw upon His strength, in comfort as we abide in His love, in peace as we rest within His arms!"

Roy Lessin

Blessings for a wonderful 2007, Barbara Cargill
State Board of Education, District 8
281-465-8095 sboecargill@sbcglobal.net, www.barbaracargill.com

Please forward this e-mail to other people who have an interest in education.

THE CARGILL CONNECTION, February 2007

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