Save Texas Schools

Education Bills Down to the Wire

allen — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:29:00 +0000

The major education bills, SB2 (charters) and HB 5 (testing) are still being negotiated as the clock on the current session ticks down.

Both bills could be vehicles for other education bills that have died, including SB 1718, the Texas Achievement District bill that would allow state takeover of schools that fail to meet state standards for 2-3 years.

Texas Tribune: A possible deal on testing and charter bills

House and Senate Negotiate School Funding

allen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:10:43 +0000

House and Senate conferees on the state budget have begun negotiating to harmonize their differing proposals. The Center for Public Policy Priorities delivered an open letter to the negotiators today on the status of key portions of the budget, including some telling points on funding for public education. They wrote: “We support the higher level of House funding for public education, although even with the House funding, on a statewide basis, real per-student spending will not increase in the next two years. At least $7 billion more (beyond what the House proposes) would be required in 2014-15 to return real per-student spending to 2008 levels. (Our analysis considers only the funding in SB 1 [the budget bill], and not SJR 1 [a proposed constitutional amendment tapping the Rainy Day Fund for $800 million for education and $4.9 billion for water and highway projects], which may increase spending, but not fully restore funding.)”

TEA Commissioner’s A-F Performance Rating Plan

allen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:16:01 +0000

(From the Dallas Morning News. Note: the new performance rating system, while a welcome change, still uses testing criteria as the only measure of the quality of a campus.)

A new school performance rating system that will spotlight how well schools are doing to close long-standing achievement gaps between white and minority students was announced Tuesday by state Education Commissioner Michael Williams. The new system, which will annually grade school districts and campuses, is based on four criteria: student achievement on STAAR exam, upward progress on the test, college readiness of students and progress in closing the white-minority achievement gap. Scheduled to go into effect this year, the new performance criteria will judge schools in more areas that the current system, which is focused primarily on overall and ethnic group passing rates on state achievement tests.

“I have heard the criticism of the previous accountability system, with its overemphasis on a school’s lowest performing areas and its blind spot to what a district or charter might be doing well,” Williams said Tuesday in announcing the new ratings plan. “The new system makes use of multiple indicators to provide parents and taxpayers a more detailed overview of the successes, as well as areas of necessary improvement, for each school district, charter school and campus.” The commissioner has pointed to the need for improving the achievement of black and Hispanic students, who now make up 65 percent of public school enrollment and who historically have trailed their white counterparts on state exams as well as college entrance and other tests.

Williams said the new standards will go into effect this summer, based on STAAR results from the spring. Release of the ratings, however, could be postponed one year under a Senate bill that calls for a delay because of changes in the school accountability system that are working their way through the Legislature. The measure is now before the House. If it is approved, it would mean a second straight year of no performance ratings for public schools, which were last graded in 2011. The ratings categories for this year under Williams’ plan would be “met standard,” “met alternative standard,” and “improvement required.” High-scoring schools will also be recognized for outstanding achievement on the STAAR. Then in 2014, the system will switch to letter grades – A through F – for districts and campuses.

Bill proposes state takeover of campuses

allen — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:10:27 +0000

Senate Bill 1718 (West) proposes that the state would take over campuses that are underperforming on state tests for 3 consecutive years. Using a poorly-fundtioning model pioneered in Louisiana, Texas would form the “Texas Achievement District,” which would take responsibility for the campuses away from local school districts. In many (if not most) cases, the schools would be given to charter entities to manage. Proponents of the bill, including Texans for Education Reform, have been falsely reporting that the state currently does nothing for struggling campuses for six years. The truth is that when a school misses a standards for one year, strong intervention is mandated by the state. If the same standard is missed for two year, reconstitution of the campus is usually mandated, with a change in principals, staff and program. Schools that are multi-year “academically unacceptable” are under intensive scrutiny. Most gain acceptable status within 1-2 years. Under the current system, if a school misses standards for 5-6 years, after all school improvement efforts are tried, then the commissioner may order the school to be closed or turned over to alternative management (a charter). Moving the clock to two years (as some have proposed) or three years would cause hundreds of campuses to be taken out of local control and turned over to the state.

SB1718 has been voted out of the Senate Education Committee and is waiting to scheduled for a floor debate and action. Please contact your senator and voice your opposition to this bad plan for school improvement.

2013 Legislature Contact Information

allen — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:36:40 +0000

Senate Education Committee:

Dan Patrick, Chair

Dan.Patrick@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0107

Eddie Lucio

Eddie.Lucio@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0127

Donna Campbell

Donna.Campbell@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0125

Robert Duncan

Robert.Duncan@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0128

Ken Paxton

Ken.Paxton@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0108

Kel Seliger

Kel.Seliger@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0131

Larry Taylor

Larry.Taylor@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0111

Royce West

Royce.West@senate.state.tx.us

512-463-0123

House Public Education Committee:

Jimmie Don Aycock, Chair

Jimmie.Aycock@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0684

Alma Allen

allen@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0744

John Davis

john.davis@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0734

Joe Deshotel

joe.deshotel@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0662

Harold Dutton

harold.dutton@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0510

Marsha Farney

marsha.farney@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0309

Dan Huberty

dan.huberty@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0520

Ken King

Ken.king@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0736

Bennett Ratliff

bennett.ratliff@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0468

Justin Rodriguez

justin.rodriguez@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0669

Mike Villarreal

mike.villarreal@house.state.tx.us

512-463-0532

Write to Senate Education Committee about Vouchers!

allen — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:56:28 +0000

Dear Senator,

I am writing to express my opposition to any bill that would allow private school vouchers supported by public funds. This includes tax-credit plans that would reduce the amount of money available to our public schools.

I believe that every Texas child should have access to an excellent education in his or her neighborhood. Our focus should be on supplying underfunded Texas public schools with the resources they need to be strong, rather than diverting funding into private schools. At the very least, the timing of these voucher proposals is poor, given the severe budget cuts that have affected Texas public schools.

I am also aware of the poor track record of voucher programs nationwide in providing improved outcomes for the majority of students.

Finally, I am troubled by the thought of giving money to private schools that are not held to the same accountability standards and rules that public schools must shoulder.

I urge you to consider focusing on your constitutional duty to build an efficient system of public education, not private.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

If you are writing specifically about SB 155, which would provide voucher funding for children with disabilities, you may mention this in your letter. Florida’s plan, on which this idea is being modeled, has had issues with poor performance by private school operators and an ongoing investigation into corruption over use of funds. A much better solution would be to increase funding in our existing public schools for children with disabilities, and to work in partnership with service providers that can expand our capabilities.

Senate Education Committee Members:

Dan Patrick

(512) 463-0107

Eddie Lucio

(512) 463-0127

Donna Campbell

(512) 463-0125

Robert Duncan

(512) 463-0128

Ken Paxton

(512) 463-0108

Kel Seliger

(512) 463-0131

Larry Taylor

(512) 463-0111

Leticia Van de Putte

(512) 463-0126

Royce West

(512) 463-0123

Voucher Bill Set for Hearing on Tuesday

allen — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:16:54 +0000

The Senate Education Committee will hear testimony for Senate Bill 115. which proposes vouchers for students with disabilities. The bill is being proposed by Sen. Tommie Williams.

The hearing will begin at 8:30 am on Tuesday, March 5 in hearing room E1.028.

For more information about vouchers, click here.

Senate Panel Votes to Add $1.5 Billion Back into School Budget

allen — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:12:16 +0000

The Senate Finance Committee voted to include $1.5 billion in the budget for public education, over and above funding for student growth (which was not funded in 2009-2013). This is still far short of the $5.4 billion cuts from schools in the 2011 session. $40 million of the $200 million in state grants would be restored as a “down payment.”

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/28/senators-add-15-billion-public-education-budget/

Thousands Gather to Save Texas Schools!

allen — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:02:03 +0000

Over 10,000 public school supporters marched up Congress Ave. and rallied at the Capitol on Saturday, Feb. 23. It was an incredible day! Now, let’s move forward and ACT!

Click here for photos

Click here for videos

What You Can Do!

1. Sign the petition to return $5.4 billion to public education!

We know now that the budget cuts in 2011 were unnecessary. With an $8.8 billion budget surplus and a projected $9 billion in the “Rainy Day Fund,” there is no reason to delay.

Get as many people to sign on to the petition as possible. Our goal is 250,000 signatures within the next two weeks.

2. Write and call legislators

It is vital that we are contacting legislators, including those who are public school supporters. Save Texas Schools will be contacting members with specific calls. You can always click here for a letter and contact information.

3. Write letters and op-eds in your local newspapers and social media

Word spreads fast. Every article and letter builds the case for funding, for testing reform and against vouchers. Contact Save Texas Schools if you need help!

Media Coverage

We know now that the budget cuts in 2011 were unnecessary. With an $8.8 billion budget surplus and a projected $9 billion in the “Rainy Day Fund,” there is no reason to delay.

Washington Post

Texas Observer

Austin American-Statesman

Rally Directions and Parking Map

allen — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 01:53:17 +0000

Directions for buses: From the north, take I-35 southbound. Take the Riverside Dr. exit in downtown Austin, going west. Drop off marchers at the corner of Riverside and S. Congress at the Austin-American Statesman. Proceed to bus parking on west side of Capitol (see map).

From the south, take the Ben White Ave. exit, going west. Take the 1st St. exit. Proceed north on first street to Riverside Dr. (One Texas Plaza). Drop off marchers and proceed to parking on west side of Capitol (see map).

Directions for cars: If coming for the march, there are numerous parking garages in the downtown area near the Congress Ave. bridge (see map). Use either 8th st. exit or Riverside Dr. If coming for the rally, take the 12th st. exit. Capitol Visitors Garage is closest to Capitol. Others are available nearby.