Barbara Cargill Home

THE CARGILL CONNECTION, November 2007

Dear friends and supporters,

Welcome to fall! As the holiday season approaches, I wish you many happy times filled with family and friends.

Governor Perry appointed Robert Scott to serve as our state’s new Commissioner of Education! In my last newsletter I told you about Robert and what a fine leader he is. As SBOE Chairman Don McLeroy wisely stated, “I’m thrilled. The governor has made a great choice. Robert and his staff are wonderful to work with. Texas schoolchildren and their parents and teachers are the real winners with this announcement.” I could not agree more with Dr. McLeroy. It will be a privilege to continue working on education issues with Commissioner Robert Scott.

ACTION ITEMS:

WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS! Texas College Readiness Standards are supposed to tell students what skills they need to know to be able to do well in an entry-level college course. The standards have been compiled by various members of Vertical Teams (secondary and postsecondary educators) in the four core subject areas: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science. With 50% of our college freshmen in Texas enrolled in remedial or developmental classes (compared to 28% across the U.S.), we need your input! You may want to pay special attention to some of the suggested literature in the ELA standards—parents beware! (Google the books to learn about them.)

If you are interested in submitting public comments on the Texas College Readiness Standards, please go to the link listed below for SS, Math, and Science. (Read below for directions to access the ELA standards.) Once you have registered, you can then submit your comments. The comments can follow one of two formats: (1) You can use the bubble-in type of format, or (2) you can produce your own document (e.g., WORD) and submit it to the website.

      The link is: http://epiconline.org/texas/CRSpubliccomment.php

Special instructions for ELA standards draft: To see the amended English Language Arts Standards draft which the Vertical Team endorsed, please go to Appendix H of the CCRT document (pp. 81-89). You need to submit your comments as a WORD document and clearly state that your evaluations are focused on the Appendix H draft. So sorry that this has not been corrected yet!

That link is: http://www.collegereadytexas.org/documents/CCRTReport110207FinalDRAFT.pdf

The time for public comment began on October 25 and runs through December 10.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SEPTEMBER SBOE MEETING:

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

1.         Discussion of College Readiness Standards: Dr. David T. Conley, from the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon, has facilitated the four Vertical Teams used to develop the Texas College Readiness Standards. He provided an overview of the process to the State Board, including the purpose and structure of the standards. (These Vertical Teams will continue their work; that is why YOUR input is vital!)

2.         Discussion of Proposed Process for Review/Revision of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: Board members discussed many issues and concerns related to the process for TEKS revision and review. TEA staff explained the key components for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a facilitator to coordinate the completion of the ELA/R TEKS revisions. They also reviewed the timeline for the TEKS adoption in relation to textbook proclamations. (The process that we develop will clarify future work on the TEKS in all subject areas. The ELAR TEKS revision has been going on for two years now, and we still have no final document. For this reason, I agree that it is time to bring in a facilitator to oversee the completion of these vitally important TEKS!)

3.          Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66,
State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials: TEA staff presented changes to midcycle review and adoption, public notice, schedule for adopting instructional materials, state review panels, and adoption of instructional materials by the SBOE. After many motions and votes, this complicated process was further clarified.

4.          Discussion of Proposed Cycle for the Adoption of Instructional Materials: The Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 31, requires the 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. (TEA staff explained in great detail how possible new adoption cycles would work.)

ON THE NOVEMBER SBOE MEETING AGENDA:

Here is a description of a few of the items that are on the November 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, November 14:

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FINANCE/PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND:

Presentations by Finalist Candidates for the Absolute Return Separate Account Fund of Funds for the Permanent School Fund: The committee will receive presentations by finalist candidates for the absolute return separate account fund of funds for the Permanent School Fund. Selection of a firm(s) will be made by the committee at its meeting on November 15. Recommendations will be made to the board for approval at its regularly scheduled meeting.

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD:

College Board Standards for College Success: After hearing the College Board presentation at a Commission for College Ready Texas meeting, I felt they would have good information to share with the SBOE. The College Board will present their definition of college readiness and provide an overview of the use of their Standards for College Success.

Discussion of College Readiness Standards: Dr. David Conley, who facilitates the Vertical Teams, will give an update on the college readiness standards that are available to review for public comment. Please see “Action Items” at the top of this newsletter for the link.

Commission for a College Ready Texas (CCRT) Update: This item provides the committee the opportunity to hear the findings and recommendations from 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 chair Sandy Kress. (After many meetings, conference calls, and webinars, the data is in and the Commission’s report is in its final editing stages. It is our hope that teachers, parents, and students will benefit greatly by learning more about how to be college ready. FYI: Many experts agree that workforce and college readiness require the same preparation throughout a child’s school years.)

Thursday, November 15: (The official vote on these items is on Friday.)

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD:

Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials (Second Reading and Final Adoption): This item presents proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66 State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials. Recent legislative changes to the instructional materials review and adoption process require changes in 19 TAC Chapter 66, Subchapter A, General Provisions; Subchapter B, State Adoption of Instructional Materials; and Subchapter C, Local Operations. Proposed amendments were presented for discussion at the July 2007 meeting and August 2007 work session. The SBOE approved the proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 66, State Adoption and Distribution of Instructional Materials, for first reading and filing authorization during the September 2007 meeting.

Proclamation 2010 of the State Board of Education Advertising for Bids on Instructional Materials: Proclamation 2010 includes English Language Arts and Reading (K-1), Spanish Language Arts and Reading (K-1), Reading (Grades 2-5), Spanish Reading (K-6); Reading Elective (Grades 6-8); Literature (Grades 6-12); Spanish Literature (Grade 6); English as a Second Language (Grades K-8); ESL Teacher Editions (Grades K-8), AP English Language; AP English Literature; and IB Language Studies. Proclamation 2010 will be amended to include the revised ELA/R TEKS after they are adopted by the State Board of Education.

Report and Recommendations from the Commissioner of Education Regarding Instructional Materials Offered for Adoption under Proclamation 2005: Proclamation 2005 of the SBOE calls for new instructional materials in elementary mathematics to be used in school districts and open-enrollment charter schools beginning in school year 2008-2009. This item will present the report and recommendations from the commissioner of education that instructional materials offered for adoption are placed either on the conforming list, the nonconforming list, or be rejected.

Approval of Proposed Process for Review/Revision of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: This item provides the opportunity for the board to approve a proposed process by which Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) will be reviewed and revised.

Update on Proposed Amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, and Subchapter C, High School: This item provides the opportunity for the SBOE to discuss proposed amendments to 19 TAC Chapter 110, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, Subchapter A, Elementary, Subchapter B, Middle School, and Subchapter C, High School. The proposed amendments would revise English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). (Again, I am very excited about the positive changes that will be made to the state curriculum standards. Our students and teachers will benefit greatly.)

After these agenda items, the SBOE will break into its three committees. I serve on the Committee on Instruction. A few of the things we will discuss include:

A. Approval of Proposed Personal Financial Literacy Materials: This item    recommends approval of personal financial literacy materials to be used in high             school economics courses.

B. Discussion of Proposed Amendment to 19 TAC Chapter 74, Curriculum Requirements, Subchapter C, Other Provisions, §74.30, Identification of Advanced Courses: This item provides the opportunity for the committee to discuss the definition of advanced courses in 19 TAC Chapter 74 and to bring language into alignment with newly amended TEC, §33.081, which narrows the number of courses that may be exempt from “No Pass, No Play.”

C. Discussion of Parenting and Paternity Awareness Program: The committee will discuss the development, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, a program for Parenting and Paternity Awareness that school districts will be required to use in the high school health curriculum.

OTHER HAPPENINGS:

November 7^th was the final meeting for the Commission for College Ready Texas. We met in Austin and voted on the final version of the report on college readiness. Amendments I made to the report were approved by the other commissioners. It has been an honor to serve on the Commission with such fine leaders from across our state. My thanks go to Governor Perry for this appointment---I learned so much and feel that my contributions on behalf of the SBOE were helpful in strengthening the report. Now it is up to YOU as parents, teachers, or students to read the report and learn more about college readiness.

ALL parents and teachers should read the report from the Commission on College Ready Texas. Please go to: http://www.collegereadytexas.org/documents/CCRTReport110207FinalDRAFT.pdf

On November 29^th, I will be speaking at the Rotary Club meeting in Lumberton, TX which begins at 7:30 A.M. Come to Cowboy Reds restaurant on S. Main Street for a lively conversation about education!

Monday, November 12, 2007, 12:30 P.M.
2007 LIBERTY OPEN 2-Man Golf Scramble and Awards Dinner is being held at the Iron Oaks Golf Club, 4654 Brooks Road, Beaumont, TX 77720. There will be $1000 in prizes awarded during the dinner. All funds from this benefit are going to help Justin P. Howard offset his cancer-related medical expenses. Justin, a previously active 33-year old Young Republican, is Jefferson County Republican Party Vice Chairman J. Shane Howard’s brother. Thank you for your kind consideration. Please call Shane at (409) 656-0370 for any additional information.

FAMILY CORNER:

Harriett and Amie Fabrick, authors of the FURELLO Achieves teaching program proudly announce another milestone: Producer/developer Charles L. Chen has devised a more accessible, easier to use speaking version for the sightless, dyslexic, and difficult to teach individuals through a new system called The AXS Jax project. The first chapter can be heard at: http://firevox.clcworld.net or by accessing: www.WildflowerUSA.com and linking to the Firevox website or:           http://clcworld.net/Furello/chapter1.html and press Speak. There will be games and crossword puzzles for the sightless as well as testing programs.

Have you heard about "GodTube"? It is the Christian alternative to “YouTube" and is growing by leaps and bounds. The website is: www.godtube.com

Bella is an engaging movie in which a young lady faces a critical decision in her life. It is a heart-warming account of the importance of love and family values and the positive impact that one person made on her final decision. Bella has won numerous awards.

National Writing Board: Many of our Texas students may be interested in this opportunity. The National Writing Board, founded in 1998, has now given an independent, unbiased assessment of high school history research papers from 31 states, and sent each author a three-page report, with scores and comments from two Readers, which she/he has asked us to send to college admissions officers (at 75 colleges so far), or simply could use as feedback on one of her/his best history research papers. For more information, go to http://www.tcr.org/nwb/index.htm

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It is hard to believe that my third year of service as your SBOE member is almost over. What a privilege it has been to represent you and your children, and I look forward to a successful fourth year in office!

Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Have a blessed holiday season,
Barbara Cargill, State Board of Education, District 8
281-465-8095, www.barbaracargill.com
Please forward this e-mail to parents, teachers, administrators, and others 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!)

Coming Events...

Come show your support for Barbara Cargill. If you'd be interested in having Barbara come speak to you, let us know at any of the contact numbers and e-mail below.

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

THE CARGILL CONNECTION, November 2007

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