THE CARGILL CONNECTION, September 2007

Dear friends and supporters, 

Can summer really be over?  It has been a busy time getting three teenagers back into the swing of school!  Many of you can relate.  Football, theatre, church youth group, and of course homework lead to full days.  My twin boys turned 16 recently, so your prayers for them as they start “officially” driving (especially for Mom’s nerves) would be most appreciated!

Please pray for Gov. Perry to have wisdom as he makes a decision about whom to choose as the next Commissioner of Education.  His choice for Commissioner will affect millions of public schoolchildren, their parents, and educators.  During the interim, it has been a pleasure working with Robert Scott, Chief Deputy Commissioner of Education.  He is a fine person and a true leader in education who has worked at the Texas Education Agency for years.  Under his guidance the SBOE has made significant steps in making sure that the new English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) standards will bring real education reform to our state. 

The State Board had three very full days of meetings in July, so I will start by giving you a brief update.  I am delighted to announce that Dr. Don McLeroy (R-College Station) was chosen by the governor to serve as the next chairman of the SBOE!  Dr. McLeroy is a conscientious, faithful leader and his dedication to schoolchildren is inspiring.  His many years of service on the State Board will serve him well as he undertakes this important appointment.  Under his leadership, we can expect great things to happen in Texas education--many thanks to Gov. Rick Perry for wisely choosing Dr. McLeroy to chair the SBOE!  

UPDATE FROM THE JULY SBOE MEETING AGENDA:

The SBOE appreciated a visit by Governor Perry at our July meeting.  It was a pleasure to be joined by the governor for an informal meeting.  

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

1. Commission for a College Ready Texas (CCRT) Update:  The update given by members of the Commission was informative and instructional.  Cyndie Schmeiser, president of the education division of ACT Inc., gave an excellent presentation about the difference between what is taught in high school and what college professors expect incoming freshmen to know. Eric Rolfhus from Edvance Research, Inc. also presented interesting information about Lexiles, a measuring tool for rating works of literature.  The four core subject area Vertical Teams will present their initial drafts to the Commission in the next few weeks. The Commission will use this information (as well as public input from several state-wide hearings) to compile its final report for the SBOE.  As the State Board representative on the CCRT, I am excited to see this work progressing and am certain it will help our students in many positive ways as we strive to better prepare them for college and the workforce.  The dedication of the people involved in the Commission has been amazing, and I thank them sincerely.

2.      Discussion of Proposed Cycle for the Adoption of Instructional Materials: The Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 31, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt a review and adoption cycle for textbooks for elementary grade levels, including prekindergarten and secondary grade levels for each subject in the required curriculum.  This item will provide the Board an opportunity to discuss the review and adoption cycle in light of new legislation. (On August 30^th, the SBOE held a work day in Austin to discuss this item in further detail.  I will keep you up-to-date after the September meeting when we will discuss the adoption cycle even further.  It is of great importance to the Board that our students and teachers receive the best possible instructional materials in a timely manner.)

3.      Discussion of Criteria for Electronic Courses provided through a State Virtual School Network:  Many of you have asked me about this, so here goes.  While the legislation passed, there was no funding source or appropriation authority granted to TEA to implement this program.  Based on a Rider in Article IX of the Appropriations Act, state agencies are instructed not to implement provisions that are not funded.  Unfortunately the same holds true for a fantastic provision in Senate Bill 1031 which calls for all 10^th graders at state cost to take a "nationally norm-referenced preliminary college preparation assessment instrument for the purpose of measuring a student's progress toward readiness for college and the workplace."  This provision would help schools better prepare their students for college and the workplace by requiring all 10^th graders to take nationally normed tests such as assessments offered by ACT and SAT.  This might encourage schools to stop focusing so much time and resources on the TAKS tests. 

ON THE SEPTEMBER SBOE MEETING AGENDA:                                              

Here is a description of a few of the items that are on the September agenda for our three-day meeting.  To see a complete copy, 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.

Wednesday, September 19

1.          Discussion of College Readiness Standards:  The SBOE will hear a presentation from Dr. David T. Conley, from the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon, regarding the development of college readiness standards. (Dr. Conley will provide vital information about the college readiness standards that the four Vertical Teams have developed.  These teams were established by HB1 and consist of high school teachers and college professors.  They have been working diligently for months in the four core subject areas:  English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science.)  

2.          Discussion of Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.1, Essential Knowledge and Skills:  This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter A, Required Curriculum, §74.1, Essential Knowledge and Skills. The proposed amendments would outline the process by which Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are refined/aligned or revised. (This is a very important discussion item that directly affects your children and the curriculum standards their teachers use in the classroom!  The Board will be looking at the process for the writing of the curriculum standards.  You know how important this is to me since I continue to send experienced, motivated teachers to Austin to work on curriculum standards.  Stay tuned!)

3.          Public Hearing Regarding Instructional Materials Submitted for Adoption by the State Board of Education under Proclamation 2005:  Testimony will be presented regarding instructional materials submitted for adoption under Proclamation 2005.  (The subjects and grade levels under Proclamation 2005 included elementary math, Grades K-5, in both English and Spanish.  These instructional materials were reviewed by state review panel members in June 2007, many of whom were my nominees from SBOE district 8.  Once again, east Texans came through when I asked for volunteers to review textbooks!  Thank you—I could not do this without you.)

Thursday, September 20

1.     Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66,
State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials (First Reading and Filing Authorization):  This item presents for first reading and filing authorization proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials. Proposed amendments were presented to the Committee of the Full Board in July 2007 and additional recommendations for changes were made by board members. The State Board of Education (SBOE) held a work session in August to further discuss recent legislation and additional changes. 

2.     Approval of a New Cycle for the Review and Adoption of Instructional Materials:  The Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 31, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt a review and adoption cycle for textbooks for elementary grade levels, including prekindergarten, and secondary grade levels for each subject in the required curriculum. The SBOE conducted a work session in August 2007 to discuss possible options and made recommendations for a new review and adoption cycle.  This item provides an opportunity for the SBOE to approve a new review and adoption cycle.  (It is my hope that by fine tuning the review and adoption process, the State Board will be equipped to approve better instructional materials for our public schoolchildren.  Another piece of this is getting these materials to our schools in a timelier manner.)

3.     Commission for a College Ready Texas (CCRT) Update:  This item provides the committee the opportunity to hear information on the activities of the Commission for a College Ready Texas (CCRT). State Board of Education member Barbara Cargill is a member of the CCRT and will present this item with Commission member Dean Nafziger and Chris Patterson, a consultant for the Commission. Eric Rolfhus, Senior Researcher of Edvance Research, Inc. and REL Southwest have been invited to present public testimony.  (Serving on this advisory council for Governor Perry has been a wonderful experience!  An update will be given on what the CCRT has been doing in its role to facilitate the work of the Vertical Teams mentioned earlier.  Information gathered by the CCRT will be reviewed by the SBOE.)       

After these agenda items, the SBOE will break into its three committees. 

I am now on the Committee on Instruction.  A few of the things we will discuss include:

A. Changing the name of the Minimum High School Graduation Program to the Standard High School Graduation Program. 

B.  Voting on the proposed repeal included in Senate Bill 530, passed by the 80^th Texas Legislature which removes SBOE rulemaking authority over physical activity requirements for students in grades K-8.  This is another example of authority being taken away from your elected SBOE and given to the unelected Texas Education Agency.  (Many of you know that I worked diligently on the issue of allowing students to continue to take off-campus P.E.—that will no longer come under my authority as a Board member due to the legislative vote.)

C.  Discussing many other curriculum-related issues

Friday, September 19

On the Friday of each meeting week, the SBOE takes its “official” votes on the Action items that were discussed on Wednesday and Thursday.

OTHER HAPPENINGS:                                                                  

·        Did you know about House Bill 1034 relating to the pledge of allegiance to our state flag?  This is now the new version of the Texas state flag pledge that schoolchildren will be saying daily throughout our great state!

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

·        Did you know that Gov. Rick Perry conducted a ceremonial signing of House Bill 3678 (sponsored by Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land) aimed at reaffirming students' rights to express religious viewpoints?  Perry officially signed the Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act, in June.  The bill provides a model policy that school districts can adopt.  Children have not been able to share their faith in school, fearing they would get in trouble.  This bill will prevent the stifling of religious expression in schools such as saying, “Merry Christmas”, giving out religious cards, or students talking about their faith.

·        Representative Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands is hosting the fifth Annual Rob Eissler Golf Tournament at Woodforest Golf Club in Montgomery, Texas.  The tournament is October 2.  Representative Rob Eissler is a great leader and a good friend, especially when it comes to doing what is right for our schoolchildren!  We have worked on several education issues together, and he is doing a fine job as Chairman of the House Education committee among many other things.  Contact Linda Eissler for more information at 281-367-1052.    

 FAMILY CORNER:

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Friends, I cannot stress enough that this is a very important time in our state where real education reform can take place!  There is much work to be done, so please pray faithfully and regularly for us.  Our children deserve nothing less and it is only through God’s wisdom and direction that we will accomplish what needs to be done.

 Psalm 31:14-15a “But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, ‘Thou are my God.  My times are in Thy hand.”

All the best for a wonderful fall and new school year,

Barbara Cargill

State Board of Education, District 8
281-465-8095   

sboecargill@sbcglobal.net, www.barbaracargill.com                                           

Please forward this e-mail to parents, teachers, administrators, and other people who have an interest in education.

Pol. Adv. Paid for by Barbara Cargill for SBOE, 61 W. Wedgemere, The Woodlands, TX 77381   

New e-mail address:  sboecargill@sbcglobal.net

Pictures at:  www.barbaracargill.com/pictures.htm.

Texas Education Agency SBOE Minutes here (Check out things for yourself!)

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Thanks!

"He only asks thee to yield thyself to Him, that He may work in thee to will and to do by His own mighty power. Thy part is to yield thyself and His part is to work; and never, never will He give thee any command which is not accompanied by ample power to obey it." - Hannah W. Smith