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| FROM THE DESK OF BARBARA
CARGILL November 21, 2003 Greetings! You may remember my September testimony to the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) regarding textbooks. That experience made it clear to me that more former classroom teachers would be a great asset on the SBOE. After careful consideration and much prayer I am running for the State Board of Education, District 8. I will be a strong advocate for our children! I am contacting you because we have shared something together. Maybe it was youth sports, Junior League, PTO functions, teacher in-services, church events, or just around the neighborhood. Maybe I worked with you and your precious children at WOW! Science Camp. Your child's school may have received a visit from "Miss Barbara" and her critters. Maybe I led your child's birthday party, complete with my frog hat and snake belt (and yes I do tell them NOT to touch wild snakes). Whatever our connection is, we share love for our children and hope for their bright future! Terry and I have three precious young sons: Chase, Blake, and Connor. They are in sixth and fourth grades in CISD. Through their experiences and through my constant communications with schools and teachers as Director of WOW! Science Camp, I stay plugged in to what is happening in Texas education. Our children need a voice on the State Board of Education! A voice that clearly understands public education issues - someone who communicates constantly with teachers, students, and parents. TAKS AND TEKS: These very important parts of our children's education are under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education has governance over key education issues such as: establishment of the TEKS, textbook adoption, gifted and talented education, special education, the TAKS test standards, state and federal funding issues, plans for school accreditation, establishment of goals for the public school system, and much more! The Texas State Board of Education has been called a little known Board that has a LOT of power! As a State Board of Education member, I will strive to:
To accomplish these goals I will look at questions such as: Is teaching to standardized tests the best approach for our children? If so, why are many teachers frustrated? Why are many of the TEKS confusing and open to different interpretations? Why are there so many standardized tests and how do they benefit our children? Why do our children's textbooks contain hundreds of factual errors? How can we make textbook content of the highest standard? I want answers to these questions and will work toward usable and beneficial solutions. My strong professional experience will help me achieve these goals! I have taught and shared science with children in the Dallas and Houston area for almost twenty years. I have received teaching awards such as the "Thanks to Teachers" National Excellence Award, the A.J. Sales Educational Award and a National Audubon Society Award. I was also nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics teaching and I was a Science Teacher's Association Outstanding Teacher nominee. As Director of Wonders of the Woodlands Science Camp, I author or co-author every curriculum for which the program is so well known. I served on the Garland I.S.D. Textbook Selection Committee, co-wrote curriculums for Hurst Euless Bedford I.S.D., and was the team leader for the district science curriculum development. I have presented teacher workshops for CISD, Region XI, and for many Science Teachers' Association of Texas Conferences. I participated in the National Alliance of Business Education Symposium in Washington, D.C. as an honoree to study business and educational partnerships. To help our children, I need YOUR help! First, please spread the news that I am running. Election day is March 9, 2004. Second, please sign up to volunteer and assist in our efforts. (See enclosed reply card.) Third, please consider a financial contribution to my campaign. I need your help to spread my conservative education message across the 24 counties comprising District 8. It is expensive to have signs and campaign brochures printed and mailed! Because we both care so deeply for our children, I know I can count on you. Best regards, P.S. Put December 9 on your calendar. Local Texas folks, you will be receiving an invitation to our campaign kick-off celebration! Come meet with me and let's talk about our children's educational needs. Feel free to invite your friends. Help me be YOUR voice on the Texas State Board of Education. I am asking you to vote for me, Barbara Cargill, in the March 9, 2004 Republican Primary! |
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