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 Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott Resigns, see press release.
Opinion: Are parents smart enough? Some say no.Read here
Larger Texas State Board of Education? The Texas House Redistricting Committee held a hearing this week to consider whether elected members of the State Board of Education — who serve without pay — can adequately represent districts that have so many people in them and that cover, as a few do, such a large area. Not only do the 15 board members serve without pay, they also serve without staffs or budgets. More
Charter school group wants to be part of school finance lawsuit. Read here
Related stories
 Are Charter Schools Models of Reform for traditional Public Schools? Yes, according to new study http://t.co/D19urh9w
New Resource: ABCs of School Choice 2012 by the Friedman Foundation find here
ARE ISDs inefficient? Only half of education dollars in Texas are spent on instruction, over 200 superintendents make more than $150,000 plus allowances, benefits, expense accounts. And in 2009, Texas ISDs spent over $66 million just on legal fees. Instead of directing more dollars to the classroom, the majority of school districts in Texas are suing the state--Texas taxpayers for more money claiming the funding is now either inadequate or inequitably distributed. Clearly the focus is not on the classroom and providing the highest quality teachers with the salary and tools to provide students with the highest quality education. For most current details on spending habits of your ISD click on School District Info then consider clicking JOIN and join Peggy Venable in the Red Apple Project at www.RedAppleProject.com
January 22-28 is National School Choice Week, join us across Texas at these events Gov/ Perry recognizes National School Choice Week
read recognition statement
Revealing private school secrets, Washington Post. New opportunity for private schools to be included in WP national list of best schools. Read more here Washington Post Social Reader
School Choice is the new civil rights movement, see Focus on the Family coverage here
Austin CEO Foundation HERO's: Sens. Davis and Ellis applaud TCEQ for Rejecting Valero's request for $93 Million Tax Rebate Read Burnt Orange Report here
IDEA in district charter will help Austin ISD Read here
Related Stories
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AISD votes 6-3 to move forward with IDEA in-district charter, "(IDEA) has a proven track record down in the Rio Grande Valley in delivering excellent education," said Bob Schoolfield for Texans for Parental Choice in Education. "And they're going to be replacing schools that have been chronically failing for years." watch video and read entire story here
We have received requests from parents, "We were told bad things about charter schools, what is a charter school?" Read here. Some organizers are spreading mis-information about charters. We want to look to the experts, Texas Charter School Association. Get accurate info in your inbox
Austin ISD Q&A with superintendent about IDEA in district charter read here
AISD signals intention to pursue IDEA charter, contract pending read and watch here
The Austin CEO Foundation HERO OF THE MONTH, Austin ISD Board Member Lori Mora for her work towards reforms to improve student learning. "We’ve already admitted and accepted that over time--years ago when I attended schools in Austin ISD over 35 years ago---there were and are things that are going wrong in the district and we are trying to change it,” said Mora during discussions for
in-district Charter schools.
Austin ISD Supt Meria Carstarphen, in statesman.com, "Under my leadership, we will continue to support every school on the east side and throughout the district to ensure that all students are academically successful and can graduate with the skills they need to reach their goals.
In the proposal, the district would retain its governing authority over IDEA. Like the Ann Richards School, IDEA will appoint a local advisory body to govern the school and report directly to the Board of Trustees."
Read more here
If you live in the Austin-area and support the proposed collaboration between Austin ISD and IDEA Public schools to serve at-risk children, please send us an email at txparentsunion@gmail.com
AISD Board split over IDEA In-District Charter, Shifting the conversation from meeting state standards to getting students successful read here
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Are you smarter than a 5th grader? When an adult takes standardized tests forced on kids Washington Post read here
Find toolkit of resources to explain the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness program. New information is posted virtually every school day on the main STAAR website
Texas teachers' union pays consultant four figures to publish a negative study about IDEA in hopes of stopping Austin ISD charter school project. Read here
Some ISDs consider converting schools to charters. Memorial High, Austin ISD charter conversion update read here KXAN: Dr. Carstarphen clears up charter confusion - http://t.co/9i6dOhyT
Schools suing the state with your money for more of your money Read here
Teachers Salaries can't be increased because Administrators salaries are so high Read more
The Latest Crime Wave: Sending Your Child to a Better School, Wall Street Journal School districts hire special investigators to follow kids home in order to verify their true residences. Read here
What if NFL Played by Teacher's Union Rules? Wall Street Jorunal Our rigid, top-down, union-dictated system isn't working. If results are the objective, then we need to loosen the reins, giving teachers the ability to fulfill their responsibilities to students to the best of their abilities, not to the letter of the union contract and federal standards. Read here
New website devoted to school choice, check it out
Unions Blocking Meaningful Ed Reform by Connie Sadowski Less than 50 cents of every education dollar makes it to the classroom, but AFT doesn't tell teachers that nor does it work to get more dollars in the classroom. The Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers would like to impose its own rules on the Charter School approval process regardless of rules set forth by the legislature. AFT wants to create a sense that charter school applicants are not properly vetted by the SBOE. Read More Related
Eight new charter schools were approved by the State Board of Education today. The new public charters are expected to open during the 2012-2013 school year. Read Press Release
While Austin ISD is still far from producing high-quality educational outcomes for all students, its example shows that empowered external partners can help drive school boards that otherwise have few incentives for reform to take stronger actions.
The Austin Independent School District (AISD) has taken significant steps over the past several years to boost student achievement through results-driven policies, including performance-based teacher pay and a strategic plan tied to student performance. But the district continues to struggle with ...read more
26 Texas schools earn 2011 Blue Ribbon honors
Another win for school choice and parents everywhere. Gov of Ohio helps mom who is trying to get her kids in a better school Read here
The US Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to Arizona's K-12 scholarship tax-credit program, so 30,000 AZ kids will continue to benefit. Texans should work towards school vouchers and tax credits to help all schools improve and help parents get more involved. Please don't be a bystander!
Back to School | Big increases in educational spending by the government have not yielded a better educational product | by Dan Reed
read here
Be the first to know how your school rated in the standardized testing, then share this link with your friends! Texas Education Agency just released records. See box to left also CLICK ON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS for TEA Accountability questions.
Politicians vote against vouchers, but send their own kids to private schools. "What Would You Think of a Chef Wouldn't Eat At His Own Restaurant?" http://federationforchildren.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-would-you-think-of-chef-wouldnt.html
SOS Fest: Teachers Unions and Radical Left are in Charge BY LARRY SAND Teachers should think twice before marching in lockstep with this revolting crowd. http://unionwatch.org/sos-fest-teachers-unions-and-radical-left-are-in-charge/
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew (right) lost in court in an unjustified suit against Charter schools. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/crouch/index.html
Wisconsin schools buck union to cut health costs http://washingtonexaminer.com/politics/2011/07/wisconsin-schools-buck-union-cut-health-costs
Complete forms at school this year to volunteer in your child's elem, middle, high school! Who is the real bully in your child's school? Why has bullying increased? Schools need parent volunteers! Our kids model kids with behavior issues, rushed school lunch room, school police, teachers, administrative staff in some cases that are not properly trained in Positive Behavior Support techniques. There are many great school staff out there, but because public education is mass-producing kids, in some cases, we are mass disciplining instead of taking teaching opportunities. Read more
ALERT: Connie Sadowski says, "Texas ISDs are telling tales when use the Chicken Licken Theory to tell you if school choice is enacted, the sky will fall down. Parents: read the fairy tale again, the sky isn't falling: Children and Parents are winning in the education reform story." Read success stories:
New and expanded school vouchers passed in Ohio budget Governor Kasich finalized momentous changes and expansions to Ohio’s school choice programs today as he signed the Ohio budget bill into law. The budget creates Ohio’s fourth school voucher program and expands two of the state’s existing voucher programs.
North Carolina is the newest state to enact School Choice," read more here
Gov. Perry Names Cargill Chair of State Board of Education READ HERE
Parents Enact Trigger Laws Nationwide Posted 06/22/11 Huffington Post The world has watched the endless series of illegal and unconstitutional maneuvers to fight parents -- mounting an illegal "rescission" campaign, harassing and lying to parents, and engaging in a signature "verification" process that was so unconstitutional Read entire story here
'Parent Trigger' Laws: Shutting Schools, Raising Controversy Time Magazine Read here
Parents Want Charter School to Take Over Eastside Memorial High School Texans for Parental Choice In Education... KVUE shows an opportunity SB 738 to give Eastside Memorial to a private manager.
AAE Applauds Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision No longer will any teacher in WI be forced to join the union as a condition of employment. Connie Sadowski, spokesperson for Austin CEO said, "Texas teachers should be leaving their unions by the droves. Unions in Texas work harder to financially support political campaigns than to get more revenue into the classroom to support teachers and student learning." How much money makes it to the classroom in your district?
Taxpayer Savings Grants HB 33 see ACTION Center
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Judge OKs prayer at Texas high school graduation A last-minute appeal was successful late Friday as a US Court of Appeals judge overruled a district judge's order to stop prayer at Medina High School graduation on Saturday. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of 1 agnostic student in a class of 237, and is now overruled.
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[Press Release] Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Federal Judge Banning Prayer at Texas High School Graduation underscores the increasingly inappropriate federal encroachment into the lives of Americans by unconstitutionally banning prayer at a Texas high school graduation.
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION may resurect some school choice, school budget legislation, check back here.
ACTION ALERT
Tax Payer Savings Grant: Contact your legislator today! Watch video
Read SB4, state Sen. Florence Shapiro, a Plano Republican, comes at a critical point is scheduled for hearing on May 10 Texas has an abundance of teachers who could soon retire, leaving schools with voids. Shapiro’s bill would help ensure that new teachers are capable of stepping directly into those classrooms — and that they have ways to grow in their profession. Read entire story
Texas Redistricting will change State Board of Education get more info here
Texas Remains Divided Over State Budget (Texas public schools await funding decisions for 2011-12 school year, Funding votes made now by legislature determine funding for next bienium beginning this September--for two years. With only 30 days left in the regular session, a special session may be needed to solve budget shortfalls caused by declining tax revenue and non renewal of one time Federal stimulus money). Read here
Texas House Rep. White on school finance read here
Texas Home School Coalistion wants homeschoolers to watch legislation (SB 1214 and HB 2322) that would join 47 other states in allowing private schools to compete against public schools in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Website www.thsc.org or email staff@thsc.org
Research Shows That Voucher Work – Teacher Unions Keep Obama From Agreeing more
President Obama, "I commend our Nation's charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and I call on States and communities to support charter schools and the students they serve read proclamation here
A bill expanding Florida's school voucher program for students with disabilities has passed in the Senate and gone to Gov. Rick Scott. The McKay Scholarship Program currently provides public funds so 21,000 students with physical and... more »
Disadvantaged Children Win As D.C. Voucher Program Reauthorized more
EDITORIAL: Wall Street Journal Endorses School Choice Plans (by subscription only) The U.S. is enjoying a new spring of education reform, with challenges to teacher tenure and "parent-trigger" for charter schools. So it's natural that the mother of all school choice reforms—vouchers—is also making a comeback.
Thomas Ratcliff cleared as lobbyist on SBOE more
Rep.James White files Parent Trigger Bill read bill
Watch video introducing concept, read news story critizing bill. Austin CEO Foundation spokeswomen Connie Sadowski says, "White is our hero for filing Parent Trigger bill, and any ISD opposed must believe their schools are not educating kids and is afraid of parental involvment."
Various Articles and commentary on teacher's union protests of education budget cuts
Mom jailed for sending her kids to better school more here
Legislators and school administrators can cut spending without cutting teachers or teacher pay, said Peggy Venable the Texas Director of Americans For Prosperity said in this recent article
ISD parents rally in frigid morn More here
Texas ISD Budget Woes, Realted Stories
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Pocket Guide to Texas ISDs hereEducation spending cuts? Do the math interesting numbers here here
One Tough Grama Carole Keeton Strayhorn weighs in on needed cuts in ISD: Texas schools face possible closure More
LIONS AND TIGERS AND BUDGET CUTS, OH MY Connie Sadowski says, "If it touches my student directly, don't take it away. Families across Texas are cutting back, no one is a bad guy, we must take an honest look at budgets." Education spending can be cut without touching the classroom Those stuck on more money for administration and no new money in the classroom appear to have the same M.O.: they claim they have no fat in their budgets and must cut teachers, hoping the public will get outraged and the spending cuts will be restored.What is the real story? Click Here to read more
Austin Community Not Standing Silent or without Presenting New ... By tcsa Wednesday night, at the first of two Austin Independent School District (AISD) Facility Master Plan Task Force meetings, more than 700 community members came out to be heard about the options put forth to counter a projected budget ...
"Positions Will Be Terminated" At AISD As Projected Deficit Swells to $113 Million
KUT News
By Nathan Bernier Staff at the Austin Independent School District received a chilling letter from Superintendent Meria Carstarphen yesterday.
Vouchers Could Save Broke School Districts Blogcritics.org (blog)The Austin Independent School District, like many others in Texas and around the country, is facing a substantial budget shortfall because of problems in...
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Bob Bowdon of The Cartel says every school reformer needs to watch this video see here
To Fix Our Schools, Unions Must Let Go Of Status Quo By Bonnie Reiss California State Secretary of Education Read here
Colorado 3rd Largest ISD examining starting a voucher program to give kids state money to attend private schools Read here
Editorial, Huffington Post Teacher's Unions and Shifting Winds October 28, 2010 by Bob Bowdon Since the theatrical release of The Cartel, I've hosted countless director Q & A's about public education policy and become quite familiar with the establishment's talking points. One of them is that there are thousands of great public schools and great teachers. I know that. I went to public schools, and my mother was one of those great public school teachers. But I also know that there are many cases of abject educational dysfunction, rarely acknowledged by the "throw more money at the problem" crowd. More
Now Showing, Waiting For Superman more here
Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim explores the tragic ways in which the American public education system is failing our nation's children, and explores the roles that charter schools and education reformers could play in offering hope for the future. We see the statistics every day -- students dropping out, science and math scores falling, and schools closing due to lack of funding. What we don't see are the names and faces of the children whose entire futures are at stake due to our own inability to enact change
NJ Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D), will announce on today, Friday, a joint plan to rescue Newark's kids based on school choice and accountability, supported by $100 million from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. More
The State Board of Education is sending a message to textbook publishers: Don't promote one religion at the expense of others. In a tough call, the Board adopted a resolution about just what part Islam should play in schools' textbooks. More
An Austin ISD Crockett High School student was the victim of a deadly train accident Thursday evening.The rail representatives sadly remind the public it is dangerous and illegal to walk on the tracks. Read more
Removing 'Mental Retardation' The terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" would be stripped from federal health, education and labor policy. "Intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability" would be inserted in their place.
The changes would occur as laws and documents come up for revision. Since the alterations would be implemented gradually, the legislation is not expected to incur any cost.Read more
Police are investigating whether bus driver intentionally slammed on brakes by Laura Heinauer September 23 Statesman.com Read here vote and comment here:
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Texas Dropouts 101 September 2010 by Brooke Terry, High dropout rates across Texas and the nation are causing parents, taxpayers, and policymakers to examine the effectiveness and quality of many public schools. Read here
Texas State Attorney General News Release, September 23 In an effort to secure $830 million in federal education funds for Texas schools, teachers and students the State of Texas Challenges Federal Government for Denying Texas' Application for Education Aid Read here
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My 5th grader's academic enrichment fee (for public school) is $85. In TN state ag ruled that public schools cannot require that students pay a fee for field trips.The Chattanoogan.com September 12 Read story & ruling here |
A bipartisan endorsement in Pennsylvania, Wall Street Journal, September 7, 2010 Voters get to choose between two voucher proponents, Lets Choose Schools read more here
Gov. Rick Perry proposed an incentive program, Abilene Reporter News, September 6, 2010 Program would reward school districts who save money by farming out administrative services to other schools here
New Orleans doesn't see kids as one-size-fits-all Opinion, Let's Choose Schools in Texas, August 30, 2010 "Schools now have the freedom to select teachers whose skills and philosophy match their mission, and vice versa. Students and their families have choices, too. No student is assigned to a school according to a neighborhood boundary, and any parent unhappy with his or her child's school can choose a different one.State officials have put charters in a position to succeed or fail on their own merits. They've also allocated resources fairly. Charters occupy public school buildings, like regular public schools, and they receive equitable funding for each student they enroll" Wall Street Journal quote Read more
Gov. Perry Press Release August 31, 2010 Gov advocates for ISD's to cut administrative costs that divert much-needed funds from the classroom Read more
Teachers deserve a pay raise Editorial Out of the Storm August 30, 2010 For every teacher in AISD, there is an AISD employee who is not directly imparting knowledge to our students Read more
Education leader moves on August 31, 2010 Austin American Statesman
Who will take the helm read more
AISD Considers Tax Hike by Jim Bergamo KVUE News,August 23, 2010 Austin Independent School District board members met Monday night to vote on a proposed operating budget of $716 million. But Austin residents won't get the opportunity to vote on the matter because the AISD board elected not to put the issue on the ballot. Watch Video and Read more
ISD Board to Vote on Tax Increase Today, Austin Chamber, Drew Scheberle
Monday, August 23, 2010 On Monday night, Austin ISD trustees will decide whether to hold a November election asking voters for permission to raise the tax rate by up to five cents per $100 of assessed value to fund district operations. The board will also vote on an additional tax increase of 2.5 cents per $100 of assessed value tax to cover district debt payments on previously approved bonds. The 2.5-cent tax increase does not require voter approval, according to district officials.
The Austin Chamber continues to ask trustees to adopt greater efficiencies and certainly not to dig a deeper fiscal hole before considering a tax rate election. On Monday, the Chamber will again ask trustees to dedicate themselves to cutting deeper in order to reallocate money to fund the programs that will result in the higher graduation, college/career readiness and post-secondary enrollment rate goals outlined in the district’s strategic plan.
All trustees would benefit from hearing your views on a potential tax rate election, in particular Trustees Sam Guzman, Annette Lovoi, Tamala Barksdale, Lori Moya, and Robert Schneider. The Chamber would appreciate your advice and your willingness to contact Trustees in advance of Monday’s vote.
Judging by the discussion at last night’s school board meeting and discussions at past board meetings, here’s where the trustees seem to stand on a November tax rate election:
Standing firm against the five-cent tax increase: President Mark Williams, Vice President Vincent Torres, Cheryl Bradley and Christine BristerStrongly in favor of the five-cent tax increase: Tamara Barksdale and Sam Guzman Previously said they would support the five-cent tax increase: Secretary Lori Moya and Annette LoVoiPreviously said he would support the five-cent tax increase if the district’s “house is in order”: Robert Schneider
Dr. Carstarphen has not taken a public position on the five-cent tax increase as of this writing.
Last night, Sam Guzman said that he will propose the five-cent tax increase on Monday regardless of the superintendent’s position. If that motion fails, he will propose that the district spend up to $22 million into fund balance to fund additional teacher salary increases beyond the small increase already included in the budget, as well as other currently unfunded programs.
This motion, if adopted, would not represent fiscal stewardship, could reduce Austin ISD’s bond rating (which increases future borrowing costs) and will create an even deeper fiscal hole trustees will have to dig out of next year before even starting to fund key strategic plan priorities.
Gene Austin, Chamber board member and CEO of software company Convio, Inc., told trustees last night that the Chamber is enthusiastic about Austin ISD’s positive direction and strongly supportive of the district accomplishing the goals of its strategic plan. Austin recommended that trustees work on further financial efficiencies before talking with voters about a higher tax rate. The Austin, Austin Asian American and Capital City African American chambers have all asked the trustees to balance the FY11 budget and fund the strategic plan.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Pilar Sanchez and President/CEO Andy Martinez asked trustees to “demonstrate further efficiencies before seeking a tax increase” and “limit…use of the reserve fund,” in a statement Sanchez gave last night. They also asked trustees to adhere to the strategic plan, continue recent positive changes, and aggressively pursue funding from external sources. (Read the full statement.)
Charlie Betts from the Downtown Austin Alliance also spoke in opposition to the five-cent tax rate increase last night.
In closing comments to last night’s board meeting, Austin ISD Board President Mark Williams cited business concerns, among many others, about supporting a tax rate election as a compelling reason to get Austin ISD’s house in order before approaching voters about a tax increase. Please contact dscheberle@austinchamber.com with any questions or comments.
Back to school without leaving the house By Ericka Mellon Houston Chronicle August 22, 2010 The first day of school will be different for the Blane family this year. Parents Eric and Melissa won’t have to pack their children’s lunches or send them to the bus stop this morning.
DC Gives Performance Pay to Teachers, July 1, 2010 Let's Choose Schools in Texas
The American Dream Summit, Austin, Texas July 2-3 visit the Austin CEO Foundation booth moreThe Lottery Film Review, Huffington Post, June 10, 2010 The Lottery film is about the children -- young, impressionable, eager to learn and, often, ignored in the knock-down drag-outs between the unions and the charter schools ..." more
Race to the Top BAD says Education Week, May 26, 2010 Commentary Diane Ratvich read commentary and comments here
TEA Press Release May 26, 2010 Commissioner of Education Robert Scott in March announced his intention to close Kendleton, a Houston-suburban district, because of chronic academic problems. Press Release here
TEA Press Release May 21, 2010 The State Board of Education approved new social studies curriculum standards on a series of 9-5 votes today. See press release for more details.
Read Social Studies Standards here Liberty blog CNN debate Fox News
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ISD Lawsuits
Feb 24 2012 PLEA IN INTERVENTION OF THE EFFICIENCY INTERVENORS
Thompson & Horton School Finance Complaint PDF (220.0 KB)download
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TEXAS ED AGENCY
PRESS RELEASES
NEW REPORT
Texas Public Policy Foundation suggests that virtual education and blended learning show opportunity for cost savings and academic gain in Texas.
EMPOWERING PARENTS
STUDIES & REPORTS
Report "A win-win solution: The empirical evidence of school vouchers,"
TEXAS DROPOUTS 101 here
TEA Texas School Accountability Ratings July 30, 2010 view here
Press Conference audio with Robert Scott, TEA Commissioner on Accountability ratings here
TEA Texas Student Dropout and Graduation Rates view here
TEA Press Release Q&A Texas Projection Measure here
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