Campaign Issues and Goals

Local Control

As a parent, teacher, university professor, school administrator and consultant, I know local control over curriculum and resources is critical in order for every child to have a well-supported, expert teacher.

 

Over the past decade, the State Board of Education has assumed more and more of the critical decision-making powers, silencing the voices of community members and local educators.

 

We need to bring those decisions back home to those closest to the children — parents, teachers, and community members.

Teaching vs. Testing

I was in the classroom teaching when Texas adopted its first state standards during the mid 80s. I've now worked with students and teachers through a variety of standards and tests. There was TABS then TEAMS then TAAS then TAKS — and now STAAR.

 

That's a lot of tests. Too many.

 

The focus has shifted from teaching to testing — from improving instruction to improving test scores. The focus is on benchmarking, test prep and testing — not quality instruction.

 

I've listened to the concerns of teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, and other community members.

 

The emphasis must be school improvement through quality instruction.

 

Schools need to spend their energy on improving instruction through recruiting, supporting and retaining expert teachers. Expert teachers guide their instruction through thoughtful, on-going assessment — not multiple choice, fill-in-the-bubble tests. 

 

Permanent School Fund

The Permanent School Fund (PSF) is a critical resource for our public school children. 

 

This fund is responsible for the textbook purchases across the state. Only qualified investment counselors should manage this fund.

 

Like curriculum and instruction decisions, the investment practices and the selection of the investment company should be open and transparent.

 

Members of the SBOE should not allow politics or personal relationships to interfere with the selection of the PSF investment company. 

 

Whether this fund is managed by the SBOE or another qualified state agency is not as important as maintaining the integrity and solvency of this fund.

Curriculum and Instruction

Three years ago, nine members of the SBOE ignored the voices of thousands of Texas teachers and adopted a piece-meal curriculum slipped under their doors just hours before meeting to decide on the state's new English language arts and reading curriculum.

 

They'd taken a document of recommendations written by teachers and turned it over to StandardsWork from Washington, D. C.

 

Their “experts” from fields outside English language arts and reading reviewed the document and made revisions.

 

At the last minute, Board members, with no expertise in English language arts or reading, wrote their own version — one that was not reviewed by the appointed teacher work group or the public. 

 

These nine board members dismissed the voices of the real experts — Texas teachers.

 

Six members did listen.

 

We need more Board members like those six. With your help, I will join them — and listen to you.

 

The charge of the SBOE is to adopt standards through a collaborative, transparent process — not dictate methodology. My duty as a Board member is to listen to my constituents. I will listen to YOU! Respect YOU! Serve YOU!

 

Represent YOU!

 

It is only through collaboration that we can develop quality curriculum and instruction and prepare Texas students for the future.

 

It’s time to take control away from special interest groups and return the control of education to you — the people. 

 

I WILL BE YOUR VOICE!