RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the State Board of Education values the rights the rights of parent to participate in the education of their children, including full access to the contents of lessons that are being taught pursuant to Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code: and

WHEREAS CSCOPE is a curriculum management system that is being used by a large number of Texas school districts and includes optional instructional materials used by classroom teachers to cover the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills: and

WHEREAS in response to a request from several legislators as a result of concerns from parents, teachers and citizens of Texas, the Chair of the State Board of Education has appointed an ad hoc committee to oversee a review process of the content of Social Studies lessons offered by  CSCOPE: and

WHEREAS the officials at CSCOPE have volunteered to participate in the Social Studies review in order to address these concerns, and

WHEREAS the State Board of Education has initiated a review process for CSCOPE that closely follows the tried and true process used for instructional materials and that allows for input from teachers, parents, administrators and concerned citizens of Texas: and

WHEREAS as a result of materials undergoing the State Board of Education’s review process, teachers, parents, administrators, citizens and local school boards may be better informed as to the quality of content being used to prepare Texas schoolchildren for life beyond graduation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education supports the right of local schools boards to make informed decisions as to what instructional materials they purchase, with the State Board of Education’s transparent review process providing valuable assistance in making that decision: and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education stands ready to respond to any directive enacted by the Texas Legislature to address any concerns with CSCOPE or any other instructional materials in an effort to preserve local control, increase parental access, afford greater transparency and improve the quality  of  instructional  materials; and  be it  further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education encourages CSCOPE, and any other provider of instructional materials, to participate in the SBOE review process to ensure quality materials are being used and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills are being taught in our classrooms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education encourages the Texas Legislature to appropriate funds sufficient to cover the costs related to any voluntary review.

SBOE Members Approval:  April 19, 2013, Austin, Texas

Barbara Cargill, Chair;

Thomas Ratliff, Vice-Chair

Mavis B. Knight, Secretary

Pat Hardy, Tom Maynard, Sue Melton, Lawrence A. Allen, Jr., Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Donna Bahorich, Marisa B. Perez,

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Authored by: Senator Dan Patrick
Bill Number: TX83RSB • April 15, 2013

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

relating to State Board of Education oversight of regional relating to State Board of Education oversight of regional management systems.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 8, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 8.0531 to read as follows:Sec. 8.0531.  INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY A COLLABORATION OF REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE CENTERS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter or Section 8.001(c), instructional lessons developed as part of a curriculum management system by a regional education service center, acting alone or in collaboration with one or more other regional education service centers, shall be subject to the same review and adoption process as outlined in Section 31.022.

SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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Authored by: Representative Steve Toth
H.B. No. 760

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

relating to State Board of Education oversight of regional education service center services and products concerning student curriculum.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:SECTION 1: Subchapter B, Chapter 8, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 8.0531 to read as follows:Sec. 8.0531 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OVERSIGHT OF CURRICULUM-RELATED SERVICES AND PRODUCTS. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter of Section 8.001 (c), the State Board of Education shall maintain oversight and direction of the activities of regional education service center, acting alone in collaboration with one of more other regional education service centers, concerning any service or product related to student curriculum. (b) A regional education service center, either alone or in collaboration with one or more other regional education service centers, may not develop, administer, or provide or authorize the development, administration, or provision by a public or private entity of a service or product related to student curriculum without State Board of Education approval, including approval of the form and content of the service or product, regardless of whether the service or product is provided online, in print, or in person.

ARTICLE FROM “TINCY’S BLOG”

WHEN TEXAS TOOK the nation’s lead a decade ago in putting new rigor into high school graduation requirements, some worried it would cause more students to drop out or increase the achievement gap between students of color and their white peers. The opposite has proved true: Graduation rates have increased, with the greatest growth occurring among low-income and minority students. Given such success, it’s bewildering that the state would roll back, as is now under serious consideration, these high standards.Working their way through the Texas Legislature are bills that would rewrite high school graduation requirements to reduce the number of end-of-course exams required for a diploma and loosen the required courses for graduation. Under the state’s current recommended course load, high school students (barring those who opt out with written consent from a parent and school counselor) must complete four years of coursework in English, mathematics, science and social studies. Under the revised requirements, a new “foundation” diploma would allow students to take more electives with lightened course requirements. No longer would Algebra II or advanced science courses be required.Supporters, including the state’s association of school boards, say state requirements have gone too far; the change will give students flexibility to take courses that better fit their interests and career plans. The state’s business community is split, with some of them (including the Texas Association of Business) siding with opponents who recognize the danger of retreating from high expectations. Students who take more rigorous courses learn more. Given increasing international competition, that’s critical for both those who go to college and those who don’t. A rigorous high school curriculum is the best preparation for college success and for providing the high-level knowledge and skills required in today’s jobs. Try getting a job as an auto technician or sheet-metal worker without proficiency in math or the ability to read and understand a technical manual.

If enacted, the measures promise to have a particularly pernicious effect on students from low-income families without college-educated parents. The National Council of La Raza and the Education Trust, advocates for poor and minority students, have labeled the proposed changes “a retreat from progress” that would take Texas “back to the bad old days of pervasive tracking.”
The legislation, approved by the Texas House of Representatives, is pending in the Senate. It’s unclear where Gov. Rick Perry (R) stands; a spokesman said that the governor supports efforts to reexamine how high school students are prepared and evaluated but also that “he will protect the academic rigor that prepares students for career and college.” Retreating from a path the state blazed — particularly when other states are following with toughened graduation requirements — will hurt Texas and many of its children.