Fighting for My Children

I have talked to several of you this year who are very upset about the math standards that the state is expecting of our kids.  Below is my correspondence with State Board of Education  (SBOE) representative, David Bradley and an administrator who served on the TEKS review committee.  Please take the time to read it.  And please join me in voicing your concern to your state representatives. (I will list contact information for pertinent state representatives in the comments section of this post).  It's a fight worth fighting for!

From: Alison [mailto:aliphil413@hotmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2014 11:22 PM

TEKS Review Committee,

I am contacting you because I am very concerned about the new math TEKS being implemented in our state this school year.  Tonight in my research, I discovered that you served as a reviewer in the creation of the TEKS.  Earlier this week, I sent the following e-mail to David Bradley, my SBOE representative.  Every teacher I have spoken with thinks these TEKS are developmentally inappropriate.  I was wondering what information you had available to you that made you think otherwise?  Thank you.

Mr. Bradley,

I am the mother of a third grader at Langham Elementary in Nederland, Texas.  I am writing you because I am very concerned about the new math TEKS being implemented in our state this school year.  My daughter loves to learn, she is a bright honor-roll student, and she enjoys school.  Is the state trying to change that?  Given the new mathematic TEKS, I feel certain that will be their result.

I reviewed the October 2011 revisions to the curriculum, and I believe we are expecting too much of our children.  I understand increasing rigor and encouraging college readiness, but as the mother of two small children I also know what breaking a child's spirit is.  That, Mr. Bradley, is what I am sure these TEKS will do.

I know that the SBOE had experts review the Final Recommendation for the TEKS.  I reviewed the experts.  Here is what I found; collectively I found NO experience in the elementary classroom.  Take for example the electronic resume of the distinguished Dr. Richard A Askey.

Positions:
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professor Emeritus 2003-present
University of Wisconsin-Madison, John Bascom Professor of Mathematics 1995-2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Gabor Szegö Professor of Mathematics, 1986-1995
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professor of Mathematics, 1968-1986
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Associate Professor of Mathematics, 1965-1968
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, 1963-1965
University of Chicago, Instructor, 1961-1963
Washington University, Instructor, 1958-1961

Is this what the SBOE considers an expert in understanding what my third grader can accomplish in math?  Where was the input from the elementary teachers?  You know, the ones who have dedicated their lives at the expense of a higher paying job to invest sweat and tears into our children?  The ones who spend hours finding ways to talk to their students because they know their names, their learning styles, and their potential?  

Last month when asked about new math standards the Dallas News cited Oswaldo Alvarenga, Dallas Exeuctive Director for STEM Instruction as saying, "“The students will be exposed to what they need to know. Will the timelines be met? Yes.  How deep an understanding will students have? That is a great question."

This image created by curriculum experts from Richardson ISD shows the drastic changes in math curriculum this year that the state expects our students to know.  No wonder educators across the state have questions.

Its the third week of the six weeks grading period, Mr. Bradley, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news.  But I think I know the answer to Mr. Alvarenga's question.  The answer is students will understand that math is hard, maybe too hard for them.  Some will develop a fear and decide not trying is better than trying and failing.  Some will be punished at home for grades that really did reflect their best because their parents don't understand how difficult these new expectations really are.  Some will be pulled out of extra-curricular activities that would have helped them develop physically, creatively and socially.  

This is Mackenzie Howell, my daughter.  

  

This year her wonderful teacher and I will fight to keep her from being one of those children whose spirits are broken because politicians cared more about their pocketbook than their children.  Please encourage the SBOE to listen to teachers and stop letting money do the talking.  The price is too high.

Respectfully,

Alison Howell

On Oct 24, 2014, at 8:48 AM, a TEKS review member replied thanking me for reaching out, acknowledging the difficulty of gap in knowledge students are facing and explaining that the standards were based on research in math education and standards in other states.

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David Bradley e-mailed the Review Committee member and copied me.  He thanked the Review Committee member for responding to me and said he agreed with the committee member's statements.

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I responded to the Committee Member and Mr. Bradley with the following, which includes a quote from the Committee Member's previous e-mail to me...

Thank you for your time and response.  One additional question, that I would very much appreciate your input on.

As you acknowledged "Most of the issues we are experiencing now are happening because students have gaps in their knowledge. Meaning, a student like your daughter wasn’t taught the prerequisite skills she needs now when she was a second grader. So, as a third grader, she “skipped” some content." 

As I become more enlightened as to the issues, I think your above comment perhaps even more accurately describes the problem.  Did anyone consider what that will do to our children?  As I am sure you are aware, our children's education revolves around and leads up to the STAAR, which tests them on these new TEKS.  Their curriculum, which includes Motivation Math, Measuring Up, Lone Star worksheets, Think Through Math, and Pearson textbooks are all designed to prepare them.  Since you are aware of the gap in knowledge, I bet you don't have to wonder how my daughter is doing in math right now.  She has a 95 or above in every subject, except math.  That she is failing.  Would you like to know what she did this morning before school?  She threw up because she has a math test today.  It's a test we spent hours preparing for.  I am also paying a private tutor.  While fitting a tutor in the budget is difficult, what is even worse is seeing her broken.  Her teacher's heart is breaking for her students too, many many of which are having trouble.  But she has been told what to teach so there is nothing she can do about it.

And unfortunately the stress doesn't end with the grade book.  Since the school administrators know student scores will be a reflection on them, they create an environment at school that keeps success on STAAR at the forefront of everyone's mind.  STAAR pep rallies, allSTAAR awards, and I could go on.  But this year, my daughter has been set up for failure.  She hasn't received the foundation she needs to succeed.

Sure, it may "even out" sometime as you say.  Or maybe your research will be proven wrong, and the psychologists that say children cannot think abstractly until at least age 12 will be proven right.  Even worse, I worry my daughter and other students in her grade level will never even out.  We all know math knowledge has to be built upon.  In her paper Success at Math Dr. Jean Marie Linhart says it simply but accurately, "You can't skip one part and still be able to do the rest. Later material depends on earlier material."

Either way, since there was no transition to the new TEKS, this year my daughter and thousands of children like her will struggle.  Yes we can overlook poor grades or low STAAR results and say it will even out, but beyond those numbers are children.  Children like mine who want to please, who want to succeed.

So I told you I had one question.  Here it is, "Did anyone consider what this gap would do to children like mine who are being tested in the classroom and on the STAAR test using standards that you all know you haven't prepared them for?"

I look forward to your input.

The committee member responded with specific ways I could encourage my child and help her.  Her teacher and principal have already provided me with that.  I am looking for systematic change.  As a result, I -emailed the following to David Bradley...

On Oct 24, 2014, at 10:20 AM, Alison <aliphil413@hotmail.com> wrote:

Thank you so much for your time Mr. Yoes.  I know you are busy, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.

Mr. Bradley, I respect Mr. Yoes and his position as an educator.  However, as my SBOE representative systematic changes are up to you.  What is your plan to address my concerns and what I believe will be the expressed concern of many others as I make efforts to educate them on what our children are facing this year?  I would welcome e-mail correspondence or the opportunity to meet with you in person.

Mr. Bradley responded to me to tell me that I have been effective, but he doesn't know when the TEKS will be considered again.  He thanked me for sharing my concerns, and I believe he hoped I would let the matter rest.

From: aliphil413@hotmail.com

To: david.bradley2@me.com

Subject: RE: Math TEKS

Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:06:51 -0500

I think you are mistaken.  It's never too late to take a stand, and I care too much about my children to give up that easily

In this letter dated May 1, 2014, Commissioner Williams states, "Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff are currently working on a plan for assessing grades 3–8 mathematics in spring 2015."

Please advise me about this process.  Who will be involved and how can I ensure the voices of parents like me are heard? 

A Decade

Ten years ago, Lance and I were 21 years old standing on the stage of Hillcrest Baptist Church in front of hundreds of people. I remember the day like it was yesterday. (Well it probably helps that I have watched the video like a hundred times). It was everything I wanted it to be.

And I can honestly say that ten years later, marriage is everything that I wanted it to be too. Don't get me wrong, we are not the Cleavers. We argue sometimes (usually about Lance being late). And we get on each others nerves from time to time. But ultimately, he is my absolute best friend and a wonderful husband. I could not imagine my life with anyone else. So to commemorate our 10th wedding anniversary, I will tell you how we met in case anyone is interested...

Lance and I are the same age, and we both went to school at Nederland HS. It was nearly the end of our 11th grade year, and I had signed up to give blood at the blood drive at school. I was 17 years old and would take any chance to get out of class. I left my last period class, which Lance and I shared, and headed to the drama department, where the Life Share people were set up. I gave blood, and then I passed out cold. The bell to go home rang, and since I never came back to class, my teacher asked Lance to bring my books down to me. When he got there, I was laid out on the floor with an ammonia pack under my nose. The Life Share worker asked Lance if he knew me, to which he replied, "Well yea she is in my class." The worker asked if he could bring me home because she did not think it advisable for me to drive myself. That evening after he dropped me off, he called me to see how I was feeling. That was it. I was smitten.

Lance was very well-respected in school, and he was cute. Everyone knew he loved the Lord, and that helped to attract me to him. Plus he was just a nice guy. And he was cute, or did I say that already. After our blood donation experience, we became good friends. But I secretly liked him. Well I don't know how much of a secret it was. But the part about us being good friends is true anyway. Finally, I won his heart over and he asked me to Senior Prom. We haven't been apart since.

He is the love of my life. He is still my best friend. I feel so lucky that we have been together for so long. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I do know that I am thankful I have him!

It is true - love does get sweeter with time. I can't wait to see what the next decade holds!

Happy Summer

It's officially summer at the Howell house! Yesterday Mackenzie graduated from preschool. We enjoyed a program to honor the graduates, and then we really enjoyed a spaghetti lunch for the graduates and their families. It was very special because my dad made his famous spaghetti and meatballs for all the graduates and their families. Mackenzie and I were proud of him.

Today we had a swimming party at her other grandfather's house for her class. It was a fun way to kick off the summer - swimming, pizza and friends. She had a lot of sweet kids in her class, and I feel blessed to have become friends with several of the moms.

This Memorial Day Weekend we are planning to enjoy some time at a ski lake in Beaumont that Lance's dad bought a lot on last year. We will ski, grill and swim. It should be a lot of fun.

Besides enjoying time with the family and friends, I will also be spending a lot of time in the next week gluing sequins to costumes. Recital is in two weeks, and Mackenzie is in three numbers this year - jazz, ballet and father-daughter dance. She loves to dance, and I love to experience recital with her, especially since I was a dancer too.

Mackenzie is also excited to start Zumbatomic in a few weeks. It's Zumba for kids, and they are having it at Taylor Dance Studio on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. My sweet friend, Jennifer, is teaching it. Check out Nederland Zumba on facebook for more info. It will be a blast for the kids.

I am still teaching Zumba at Powerhouse three times a week, and I like it. I am especially enjoying getting to know some of the ladies there better. It's a fun way to work out and make friends.

I love summer, and I love my life! I am one blessed wife and momma!

Ready or Not, Here She Comes

Tonight was Kindergarten Round-up in Nederland. I feel like I have been holding back tears all day. I know it sounds silly, but it is going to be really hard when Mackenzie goes to school. I have been very blessed to be able to stay home with her, and she and I love spending time together. Then we were doubly blessed that four days a week this year, she has been going to Learning Hands preschool where she has my mom as a teacher.

I know that she is ready for school, even though she is a little nervous, but I just wish that she could stay a preschooler a little longer. I know that I cannot keep her from growing because God has wonderful plans for her future so instead, I will pray for her everyday. Because whether mom is ready or not, kindergarten...here she comes!

Micah Tyler Band Rocks!

On Friday night, my friend and I went to Oasis Coffee Shop in Bridge City to check out the Micah Tyler Band. They were awesome! They are a local Christian band who I think may be famous one day :)

Their CD is awesome. I thought I would share a preview with you all in case you have not heard of them yet.

Check out this youtube video with a preview of the CD....

http://youtu.be/ecYEkQKP9oY

Check Out This Video

Check out this video Lance made, and if you like it share it! :)

Little Hands Making a Big Difference

Several months ago Mackenzie was watching a special on Nickelodeon about the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The program, designed for children, talked about the disaster and how the people were still working to rebuild their lives. Mackenzie was deeply touched.

She came to Lance and I wanting to do something to help the Haitian children she saw on the television special. We agreed to think of a way to help, but for several weeks our efforts were no more than good intentions. However, she would not let it go. She told my mom at school that we all just had to do something to help Haiti because they had a terrible "earthshake" and many people lost their homes.

We decided that we had to help her organize a project because we wanted her to understand that when God lays something on your heart, you should obey. I contacted the International Mission Board because I knew that they had missionaries on the ground in Haiti, and I was hoping that they could direct us to a specific need that we could meet.

The IMB hooked me up with David & Jo Brown, missionaries in Port Au Prince. After e-mail communication with the Browns, we decided to raise money to furnish a school. The school was destroyed in the earthquake. The building has been rebuilt; however, the children are sitting on the floor and have few supplies.

Mackenzie is so excited about the project. All the children in her preschool are raising money, and our church family will have an opportunity to contribute next Sunday. Today during a link dinner for the preschool, Mack and some of her friends had a bake sale and raised about $200 for the project.

This has been a great learning experience for her. I am hoping that she learns to value missions and that when God asks you to do something, you do it. Also, I want her to know that this is not about her or how good or smart or sweet she is. Instead, this is about how God good is and how wonderful it is that He takes care of all of His creation and that sometimes we get to be involved in His work.

I am so proud of her and her friends, and it definitely does warm my heart to see those little hands making a big difference.