Way to Go "Politically Texas"

          I agree with the opinions shared in “PoliticallyTexas’” blog titled Public School Teachers Needing A Miracle really got my attention. We have similar opinions about K-12 education and the lack of funding and overcrowding. I like that she researched and included statistics about the stress on teachers with the overcrowding. I really liked her idea that the state should: “… take the time to address the teacher morale.” The stress that the teachers are under and the number of students that are in alternative schools has increased at the same time that the stress level of the teachers has increased is this a coincidence. The lack of funding, the overcrowding, the “… ‘attitude’ among growing children, in some cases the lack of stability in homes and the need to feel ‘popular’ can cause stress in a teacher’s life. … unexplained drop in morale can be traced to far more than just state budget cuts.”

          I think the writer did a really thorough job of explaining her argument. I really enjoyed reading her blog and will look forward to reading it in the future.

STAARS Testing is being deferred!!!!!

     I am so happy with what I read in the Austin American Statesman on the 30^th of November. I was reading an article titled: “STAAR scores won't count in course grade this year.” It has taken a very long time to come to this decision. “Texas Commissioner Michael Williams on Friday gave lawmakers, public school leaders, and parents some breathing room to work through deep-seated concerns about the state's standardized testing system,” written by Kate Alexander.

     I have experience as a parent of a teen who recently decided to go the route of G.E.D. The school was unable to provide the special education services needed to work with his learning disability. He was targeted and punished for not measuring up to the other students.

     The schools that were closed due to low test scores really did not improve anything in my opinion. I believe that that only made matters worse. The over-population in the schools did more harm than good. The funding for the schools that are currently in operation are not receiving any of the funding that we saved from closing the other schools. It confuses me how this has gone on as long as it has with the extremely difficult testing even for those that have learning disabilities.

It is a good start to defer the fifteen percent to give legislators time to change the testing system. How many students have given up on their education due to their scores on these tests?

      "The state law requires high school students to take 15 end-of-course exams,which intended to measure a student's college or career readiness. The class of 2015 –current 10^th graders-- took the exam last spring and results were dismal. About half of the test-takers failed at least on the end-of-course exam,which means they have fallen off the graduation track." It is about time for Governor Perry to prepare his re-election tactics. I hope that this is a success for the children. They need the help and support of society to stand up for the rights of all students. Just because you have a learning disability does not mean that you don not deserve the same change at a good education as all other students.