Math- the hot topic in Austin today

Today was surreal.  I almost don't know where to begin.  The State Board of Education Committee on Instruction meeting began at 9am, and it lasted until after 3pm.  The meeting began with an update from TEA letting Board Members know the process by which the TEKS were adopted.  Then began the public testimony.  

Over a dozen parents and educators stood in front of the board and pleaded for their child's future.  The testimonies were touching and the message was consistent - the gaps in the math TEKS this year are best described as the grand canyon and students are plummeting off the cliff emotionally and educationally.  One educator said she feels she is better described this year as a bully than a teacher, intending her students harm as she purposefully races through developmentally inappropriate material.  Another father cried as he explained what homework time looks like at his house every night.

But all those impactful testimonies would be for naught if something isn't changed.  And now is the moment when that change will either happen or our board members will look the other way.  And the change is up to you and me!

Here is what you can do…

First, e-mail Tom Maynard (Tom.Maynard@tea.state.tx.us) and urge him to recommend that Commissioner Williams suspend district accountability for STAAR Math Test in grades 3-8 for 2015.  By removing the impact the STAAR Math will have on districts' and schools' rating, we may be able to reduce some of the stress felt by administrators, which can trickle down to teachers and ultimately down to the students.

Second, e-mail Barbara Cargill (sboecargill@sbcglobal.net) and urge her to ask the Attorney General, Greg Abbott, to provide a formal opinion on how closely these new Math TEKS align to Common Core.

What's next…

As a result of the meeting today, the Committee on Instruction will be recommending to the full board tomorrow that a Focus Group be formed to continue the discussion of how the gaps created by these new math TEKS are affecting our children and their teachers.  Each SBOE member will be allowed to nominate one teacher and one parent to serve on this group, which will meet with SBOE board members and Commissioner Williams.  I have asked David Bradley to nominate me as the parent in my district.  The group will need to meet quickly, as every day that goes by is a day our children grow more anxious, more frustrated and more desperate for our help.