Use 2015 STAAR Math Test for Field Purpose Only

I spoke to Barbara Cargill, State Board of Education Chair, today. She has heard the concerns of many teachers and parents regarding the implementation of the new Math TEKS, and she is encouraging Commissioner Williams to suspend accountability for the math STAAR for grades 3-8 and use this year's assessment for field purposes only. Ms. Cargill spoke to Commissioner Williams on Monday. He said he is considering her request and will make a decision soon. You may want to e-mail Commissioner Williams at commissioner@tea.texas.gov and let him know you support the SBOE's recommendation to use the STAAR Math in grades 3-8 for field test purposes only this year. Your input would be timely and effective. 

Featured in the NY Times

Our concerns were featured in the NY Times today.  Thank you Rep. James White for giving me the opportunity to visit with this reporter.  It's the perfect time to receive nationwide attention about our concerns with the implementation of the new math TEKS because the legislature will be back in session in a few weeks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/us/new-math-standards-a-hurdle-for-some-texas-students-and-teachers.html?_r=0

School Board Resolution

Dr. Michael Seabolt, Superintendent of Louise ISD is encouraging School Boards across the state to respond to Texas' crisis in math with Board Resolutions directed to legislative representatives. His attorney's have drawn up a sample resolution, and they are sharing it with you! You can download the sample resolution on my website and ask your school board to submit it to your SBOE member and State Representative.

http://www.promisedministries.com/education.html#/news/

A Small Victory Today

Small victory with math today - the STAAR math test for grades 5 and 8 is being pushed back from March 30 to April 20. Since the test will not determine promotion or retention this year, there is no reason to test early, and this will give them more time to prepare. We are still working on getting the Commissioner to provide some relief to all grades in 3-8 with regard to accountability too.

Texas Edition and Common Core = 1

Below are one picture of a worksheet from Pearson Envision Math 2.0 for grade 4 Texas edition and one from Pearson Envision Math 2.0 for grade 4 Common Core edition. Mr. David Bradley would like to place the blame for the problems our children are having on district's adopting Common Core curriculum. My district adopted the TEXAS version, at least they thought. Take a look at this Mr. Bradley. I don't think my district is to blame!

Holding on to Hope

I wanted to update you on what's been happening in the world of Texas math. 

I spoke to Tom Maynard today, Chair of the SBOE Committee on Instruction. Many of you sent e-mails encouraging him to ask Commissioner Williams to suspend district and teacher accountability for the STAAR Math test in grades 3-8 this year. Thank you. He said he got a lot of e-mails. 

As a result of your efforts, he understands the high level of concern, and he has contacted Commissioner Williams to request the Commissioner provide TEA staff and resources to organize a group of stakeholders made up of one teacher and one parent from each of the 15 SBOE districts. 

He is waiting on Commissioner Williams to get back with him to let him know if he will agree to this. The slight hiccup to this progress is that Greg Abbott has recently been named Governor-elect. As Governor, Mr. Abbott appoints the Commissioner of Education, which means that come January 1st, Commissioner Williams may or may not have a job. The outcome of that decision may affect progress with the stakeholders group. 

The good news is some State Representatives have also heard your concerns and are working toward possible solutions as well. One possible solution suggested is to go directly to the Commissioner's boss, and ask Greg Abbott to suspend the assessment accountability. 

Last Friday, I was given the special opportunity to provide one of our State Reps with a two page narrative describing this need. The representative had gotten one of Abbott's policy advisors to agree to present the narrative to Governor-elect Abbott. I prepared the narrative and sent it to the proper person. I was told I should hear something next week regarding how Abbott reacts when he lays eyes on it. 

I feel like we are holding our breath right now, but really we are holding on to something better - hope.

New Website & Update Coming

Check out my new website!

www.promisedministries.com

I have a section on the website called Education, which is dedicated to efforts to advocate for our children and their teachers.  I spoke to several representatives today and am hoping to have a meaningful update to share with you tomorrow regarding the Math TEKS.

You can also check out my website for devotionals. 

Blessings,

Alison