| Texas Education Agency Press Release / March 10, 2010 Fox inaccurately reporting State Board of Education action AUSTIN – AUSTIN – The Fox Network in recent days has repeatedly broadcast highly inaccurate information about the State Board of Education’s efforts to adopt the new social studies curriculum standards. Here are the facts. The direct quotes come from the March 10 broadcast of Fox & Friends. Fox: “Texas board of education begins hearings today on proposed changes to textbooks…” The truth: The State Board of Education today is expected to take a preliminary vote on updated social studies curriculum standards. The standards detail what teachers are to teach in each class. New social studies textbooks are not scheduled to be selected until 2011. Fox: “So one of the proposed changes is to start history class in the year 1877.” The truth: Texas has and always will teach U.S. History from the beginning until present day. U.S. History through Reconstruction is taught in the eighth grade and those standards can be found in the middle school standards, which are called Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Here is a link to the middle school standards: http://ritter.tea.state.tx. us/teks/social/MS_TEKS_amended.pdf. U.S. History since 1877 is taught in 11th grade. Fox: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington have been removed from the textbooks. The truth: The standards, not textbook, are before the board this week. Lincoln is required to be included in the first and eighth grade history classes, as well as in the U.S. government class. Washington is required to be taught in kindergarten, first grade, fifth grade and eighth grade. Here is a link to a document detailing those historical figures, including Lincoln and Washington, who are required to be taught as part of the standards: http://ritter.tea.state.tx. us/teks/social/AlphabetizedList_including.pdf. There is another list of individuals who are suggested for inclusion and it can be found here: http://ritter. tea.state.tx.us/teks/social/AlphabetizedList_such_as.pdf. Additional modifications are still possible to both lists as the board debates the standards during its March and May meeting. Fox: Independence Day and Veteran’s Day are being deleted from the textbooks. The truth: Again, the new history textbooks have not been written yet but they will be based on the curriculum standards adopted by the board. The standards currently under consideration cover Independence Day in kindergarten, second and fifth grades. Veteran’s Day is included in kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades. Fox: References to Christmas have been deleted. The truth: A TEKS review committee briefly recommended removing Christmas from a list that mentioned one major holiday for each of the world’s religions. The committee recommended leaving Easter in the document. The State Board immediately rejected this idea and a reference to Christmas was restored in the standards months ago and can be found in sixth grade in standard 19(b). Fox: Textbooks adopted in Texas will be used classrooms across the country. The truth: Each state has its own textbook selection process. Publishers may offer other states the Texas edition of a book but they are not required to select it. Citizens can read the standards for themselves at http://www.tea.state.tx. us/index2.aspx?id=3643. A live webcast of the meeting, which begins at 11 a. m. today, can be viewed at http://www.texasadmin.com/cgi-bin/tea.cgi. |
Oh, this is interesting. GuideStar,
based on the Form 990 Texas
Freedom Network Education Fund
filed with the Internal Revenue
Service, categorizes TFNEF as: Civil
Rights, Social Action, Advocacy /
(Civil Liberties Advocacy). Does
that sound "mainstream" to you?
based on the Form 990 Texas
Freedom Network Education Fund
filed with the Internal Revenue
Service, categorizes TFNEF as: Civil
Rights, Social Action, Advocacy /
(Civil Liberties Advocacy). Does
that sound "mainstream" to you?
If there's a single moment that clarifies why the Texas State Board of Education needs to carefully review what
the academic experts recommend in the way of curriculum standards, it was SBOE member Pat Hardy's
recommendation last Thursday night that the following be included as written by the social studies academic experts:
the academic experts recommend in the way of curriculum standards, it was SBOE member Pat Hardy's
recommendation last Thursday night that the following be included as written by the social studies academic experts:
| Despite being a lead story for Fox News (the only network to provide daily live coverage) all last week, by Thursday night -- when key amendments to the social studies curriculum were proposed, debated and voted on -- the crowd at the Texas State Board of Education was sparse through the late afternoon and early evening and had disappeared almost entirely by 8:30 p.m. A at a time when matters of great importance were being decided on the board's preliminary pass through the social studies curriculum standards adoption process, very few people were in the room. Absent entirely from the meeting by 5:30 p.m. were board members Rene Nunez, Rick Agosto and Mary Helen Berlanga. Absent often from the board room was Lawrence Allen. All four were elected as Democrats. From left above, just after the last gavel at almost 10 p.m., from left: SBOE members Don McLeroy, Terri Leo and Barbara Cargill with SBOE chair Gail Lowe. Middle, SBOE member Ken Mercer just to the right of the blue recyle bin where we last saw Texas Freedom Network's Dan Quinn; next is Texas Eagle Forum's MerryLynn Gerstenschlager (photo courtesy of the Eagle Forum). Top right, the night in 2007 when I met Jonathan; it was very late at the Texas Senate; our friends at Texas Public Policy Foundation had given up on their check register bill and gone home to celebrate the holiday weekend -- but not Jonathan and Houston constitutional lawyer Kelly Coghlan (in white shirt) who, despite discouraging news, persisted in getting HB 3678 passed. The School Children's Religious Liberties Act, also known as the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act, guarantees that Texas public schoolchildren can pray at school if they wish. In signing the bill into law, Gov. Perry said, "Though the United States Supreme Court holds religious discussion in schools permissible, some Texas schools have been misapplying the law and restricting student’s legal expression. This may be due to outdated school policy or an unintended consequence of efforts to promote a neutral learning environment." This was not a casual bill Kelly threw against a wall along with several others in an attempt to please a board of directors and donors; its original genesis was in 1994. His and Jonathan's energy and determination were something to behold. I learned a lot that night about the importance of only committing to do what we believe in so much that we are willing to persist, no matter what. Read Kelly's "prayer that stopped a riot." Below, from left: TFN's Dan Quinn with amendment in left hand; next, TEA staffers providing backup; bottom right, Mavis Knight (in pink hat) returning to her seat. |
On Wednesday, March 10, 2010, TEA offered some
facts in the form of a press release (below); in the
interests of fair and balanced reporting:
facts in the form of a press release (below); in the
interests of fair and balanced reporting:
| Texas Education Agency, Austin |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
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| Copyright 1999-2010 Peyton Wolcott |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . |
| PEYTON WOLCOTT'S 6 SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT S: How you can rebuild public trust and save at least $75 per student this next year. 1. End discretionary spending. Set an example for your staff; let them know you mean business about running a tighter ship: No trips, no conferences, no meals, no credit cards. If you want to learn more about something, use Google. Do a webinar. Read a newsletter. No golf games with vendors, ever. No chauffeurs, no rental cars. Stay home, do your work and keep your nose clean. 2. Reduce administrative costs. Go through your administrative staff roster and cut every other job, starting with getting rid of all PR and marketing. No advisors, no consultants. Learn how to really read a budget. Put your check register and all wire transfers online. 3. Ethics. No nepotism. Let your wife and kids earn a living in a field other than education. No board members' spouses working in the district. Conduct all discussions with vendors and potential vendors in the open; invite your public to watch and ask questions. Throw away your contract and work year by year. Move your chair off the dais at board meetings. You're not a team member with your elected trustees. You're not equal to them. They're your boss. 4. No construction. If you're the rare district truly experiencing sufficient growth to justify building new schools, splinter off that population and let them start their own new school district or charter school. They might be able to take over an abandoned church or office building for much less than the Taj Mahal you had in mind. 5. Back-to-basics curriculum. Math table (1st grade: add, 2nd grade: subtract, 3rd grade multiply, 4th grade divide) daily drill. You made sure your own kids learned the basics at home or with tutors; why shouldn't all children have that same opportunity? Ditto for phonics. Classical literature. History, not social studies. No more block scheduling. Daily P.E. for all. Emphasize individual effort and accomplishment. 6. Attitude. You're a public servant, not a Third World dictator. Practice humility and gratitude. Remember when your employees laugh at your jokes or tell you you're cool or vendors marvel at your every utterance that they're all sucking up to you. Remember why you got into education to begin with. Sell your house in the gated community and buy one in the middle of a real subdivision like your average parents and taxpayers can afford. Let yourself be driven not by the latest platitude you picked up at the latest education conference but by the same wonderful noble desire to educate kids that got you into this field. |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| Fox and Friends |
BEYOND SOUND BYTES & HEADLINES
The myth of the education 'experts': Why it's important that elected
State Board of Education members approve curriculum standards
The myth of the education 'experts': Why it's important that elected
State Board of Education members approve curriculum standards
| At left, SBOE member Mary Helen Berlanga (in black) of Corpus Christi chats with the press in the Texas Education Agency lobby after her "in a huff" exit from the still-ongoing SBOE meeting; that's Fox News' tall Peter Doocy at far right. |
Why was SBOE member Pat Hardy,
described as an "instructional generalist"
in the Weatherford ISD 2009-2010
Employee Handbook, and who recently
ran for reelection to the State Board of
Education in the Republican primary --
spending so much time conferring with
Dan Quinn (right), of the Texas
Freedom Network last week?
described as an "instructional generalist"
in the Weatherford ISD 2009-2010
Employee Handbook, and who recently
ran for reelection to the State Board of
Education in the Republican primary --
spending so much time conferring with
Dan Quinn (right), of the Texas
Freedom Network last week?
| Above, SBOE members Bob Craig and Geraldine 'Tincy' Miller stretch their legs. Below: Texas Education staffers providing back-up for the meeting. |
| Above, SBOE members Don McLeroy and Barbara Cargill. |
A few hours earlier, about 5:30 p.m.:
| By 8:30 not many people remained; for example, the only folks occupying the empty folding chairs in the center (at left) were Jonathan Saenz of the Liberty Institute and Texas Eagle Forum's MerryLynn Gerstenschlager (and me). |
| At the press table (above, from left): Terrence Stutz of the Dallas Morning News and TEA communications director Debbie Ratcliffe; behind her, Brian Thevenot of the TX Tribune. |
| All 15 SBOE member bios here. |
|
And Linebarger Goggan founder,
attorney Dale Linebarger, occupies the
post of treasurer on TFN's board of
directors.
attorney Dale Linebarger, occupies the
post of treasurer on TFN's board of
directors.
| Cecile Richards (PHOTO--Original source unknown) |
| Liberty Institute's Jonathan Saenz (at right) interviewed by Fox News' Griff Jenkins. |
After the last gavel, just before 10 p.m.:
Were Pat Hardy an accountant or a plumber or a factory worker, getting the facts wrong could be
more easily understood. But Pat is a long-time award-winning educator certified since 1970 to
teach social studies in Texas; although her employment at Weatherford ISD raises the question of
whether SBOE members should be allowed to work for the school districts they are charged with
oversight of -- which in turn raises the issue of how appropriate it is for professional lobbyist
Thomas Ratlife whose client Microsoft sells a great deal of product to Texas public schools --
should sit on the State Board, the fact remains that if anyone on the SBOE could be described as a
social studies education expert, it is Pat Hardy.
A quick check of disparate sources establishes that women were indeed a major presence on 19th
century factory floors. According to Arthur W. Calhoun's A Social History of the American
Family from Colonial Times to the Present, "Women formed, roughly speaking, two-thirds to
three-fourths, and in some places as much as nine-tenths, of the total number of factory operatives
in the first half of the century." Explanatory note: Because Dr. Calhoun's book was published in
1919, the period to which he is referring is 1800-1850.
more easily understood. But Pat is a long-time award-winning educator certified since 1970 to
teach social studies in Texas; although her employment at Weatherford ISD raises the question of
whether SBOE members should be allowed to work for the school districts they are charged with
oversight of -- which in turn raises the issue of how appropriate it is for professional lobbyist
Thomas Ratlife whose client Microsoft sells a great deal of product to Texas public schools --
should sit on the State Board, the fact remains that if anyone on the SBOE could be described as a
social studies education expert, it is Pat Hardy.
A quick check of disparate sources establishes that women were indeed a major presence on 19th
century factory floors. According to Arthur W. Calhoun's A Social History of the American
Family from Colonial Times to the Present, "Women formed, roughly speaking, two-thirds to
three-fourths, and in some places as much as nine-tenths, of the total number of factory operatives
in the first half of the century." Explanatory note: Because Dr. Calhoun's book was published in
1919, the period to which he is referring is 1800-1850.
| SBOE member Pat Hardy (left) with Texas Freedom Network's Dan Quinn; out of camera range at right is TFN executive director Kathy Miller. |
| According to the National Women's History Museum, by the end of the 19th century, "Across the nation, anywhere from 25% to 40% of the labor force was female." Above, 19th century factory workers in Indianapolis. Below, 19th century Johnson & Johnson factory workers. |
| Examples of women working in factories in great numbers during the 19th century |
Riveter in making her point, Pat said that one of the results of WWII was that
for the first time women worked in factories in great numbers.
Where did Pat Hardy, or the Texas Freedom Network with whom she appeared to be
working closely, get this bit of information -- or misinformation?
for the first time women worked in factories in great numbers.
Where did Pat Hardy, or the Texas Freedom Network with whom she appeared to be
working closely, get this bit of information -- or misinformation?
| Below, more 19th century women in factories, from the film Hard Work.. |
| Below, the SBOE board room at about 5:30 on Thursday, March 11, 2010. That's the board in the large burgundy wing-back swivels in the center of the room; below, at far left is the TEA backup (general counsel David Anderson and the parliamentarian against the rear wall. To the left of the door to the SBOE break room (to the left of the American flag) are the TEA staffers taking minutes and providing other support. To their immediate right is general seating, often reserved for testifiers. |
| Above, the press table. To the right of the camera is Fox's Brian Wilson; Terrence Stutz (grey hair) sits in the middle, and at far right is Debbie Ratcliffe, a former reporter. |
| Two volumes of Calhoun's "A Social History" with Goodwill and Texas State Library tags--plus my post-its. |
Talk about serendipity; I'd just found this book, long a
resource at the Texas State Library in Austin, a few hours
earlier at a small town Goodwill Store where I bought it even
though the purchase didn'tmake much sense at the time.
Calhoun's work is also on the shelves of many other
significant libraries; here's Harvard University's copy. (More
here about Calhoun.)
resource at the Texas State Library in Austin, a few hours
earlier at a small town Goodwill Store where I bought it even
though the purchase didn'tmake much sense at the time.
Calhoun's work is also on the shelves of many other
significant libraries; here's Harvard University's copy. (More
here about Calhoun.)
By Peyton Wolcott + Updated Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Here are more photos of Pat Hardy
with Dan Quinn and
the wall. At right is
TFN's Kathy Miller
at an SBOE meeting
last fall; Kathy is
whom Pat and Dan
are interacting with.
with Dan Quinn and
the wall. At right is
TFN's Kathy Miller
at an SBOE meeting
last fall; Kathy is
whom Pat and Dan
are interacting with.
| LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: The real "Rosie the Riveter" is Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover (above right), not the iconic J. Howard Miller "We Can Do It!" poster at left. |
TFN calls itself "a mainstream voice to
counter the religious right" -- but is it?
Dan turned down a previous request for
information regarding the source(s) of
TFN's monies; we note that TFN was
founded by Planned Parenthood
president Cecile Richards, daughter of
late Texas Democrat Governor Ann
Richards; according to the White House,
Cecile has abeen a frequent visitor since
Mr. Obama's election; more here.
counter the religious right" -- but is it?
Dan turned down a previous request for
information regarding the source(s) of
TFN's monies; we note that TFN was
founded by Planned Parenthood
president Cecile Richards, daughter of
late Texas Democrat Governor Ann
Richards; according to the White House,
Cecile has abeen a frequent visitor since
Mr. Obama's election; more here.
| HOME |
Questions for -- and about -- SBOE
member Pat Hardy, Texas Freedom
Network & Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA)
member Pat Hardy, Texas Freedom
Network & Movimiento Estudiantil
Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA)
| Public Ed Commentary - Social Studies Standards / the Texas SBOE adoption process (03.11.10) |
| PAT HARDY, NOW & THEN Above: I captured this moment at the 03.11.10 SBOE meeting because Pat had just conferred with someone in the audience and I was curious whom; it turned out to be Sharon Pope, past president-TCSS, editor/The Texan, retired director- secondary social studies/Spring Branch ISD. Belowt: On July 19, 2007, Pat sits at far left with audience members Nancy Hester (curriculum liaison/Texas Council for the Social Studies, SS coordinator/Georgetown ISD), Betty Barringer (curriculum liaison & past president/TCSS, teacher/Dallas ISD)--and, at far right, Sharon Pope. |
conservatives on the State Board of Education -- I do not believe for example that the Earth was created 4,000 years ago -- on the
social studies curriculum standards they're getting it about right.
And unlike Mr. Obama's new national standards, it's been a process completely open to the public, with all the participants' names
published. Anyone who wanted to could have been in the SBOE boardroom to watch -- just wish there'd been more of us.
social studies curriculum standards they're getting it about right.
And unlike Mr. Obama's new national standards, it's been a process completely open to the public, with all the participants' names
published. Anyone who wanted to could have been in the SBOE boardroom to watch -- just wish there'd been more of us.
| What the Texas SBOE board room looked like at 8:30 p.m. on March 11, 2010: |
| The audience in the right side of the room (at right) was slightly less spotty; at left, Texas Freedom Network's Dan Quinn anchored a spot to the right of the entrance and the blue recycling bin; the arm to his right belongs to TFN executive director Kathy Miller. You know you're well-connected politically when Jason Embry of the Austin American-Statesman wishes you a happy birthday on March 8. |
QUESTIONS FOR SBOE
MEMBER PAT HARDY
1. The Weatherford ISD employee
handbook describes you as
"Instructional Generalist" but you are
elsewhere described as working for
WISD as a "Generalist Coordinator."
Which is it -- what is your exact
title? And what is your current
salary? Do you have or have access
to a Weatherford ISD
credit/procurement card of any kind?
2. It was my understanding a while
back that you are now working
part-time for Weatherford ISD,
25-30 hours per week. Is this true?
If you are only working part-time, and
have resigned your Geography Bee
position, why did you say Thursday
that you watched teachers "every
day" in the classroom? What else are
you doing where you would be
watching teachers every day?
3. What were you conferring with
Dan Quinn and Kathy Miller of
Texas Freedom Network about
Thursday? Are you a volunteer for
them? Does TFN pay you in any
capacity in any form including meals
and lodging, etc.? Why would you
have been paying such close
attention to TFN -- what input from
them do you find valuable? Do you
consider TFN "mainstream"?
4. When advocating adoption of the
WWII strand as written by the social
studies team, on what did you base
your statement regarding women in
factories as typified by Rosie the
Riveter? Had you researched this
amendment yourself or was your
position based on information
furnished to you by Dan, Kathy,
Sharon Pope -- or some other
individual and/or group, and if so,
whom? For clarification, here is
what I have published: " ' (A)
describe the economic effects of
World War II on the Home Front,
such as the end of the Great
Depression, rationing, and women and
minority employment.' Mentioning the
example of Rosie the Riveter in
making her point, Pat said that one of
the results of WWII was that for the
first time women worked in factories
in great numbers."
5. On Thursday night, you said into
the mic, "This is how they win.
They confuse you." What did you
mean? Who is "they?" Who is
"you"? Did you feel that you were
experiencing a state of confusion
Thursday night? Did you feel up to
the position to which you have been
elected? Did you feel that some folks
were ganging up on you, so to speak,
and if so, whom?
6. Although you have been elected to
the State Board of Education as a
Republican, you appear to embrace
liberal/progressive views as
evidenced by your statements in
support of various amendments on
Thursday. Would appreciate your
thoughts an insights on why you have
run as a Republican rather than as
a Democrat.
(Sent March 15, 2010 and March 24,
2010; have also attemtped to contact
Pat via telephone.)
MEMBER PAT HARDY
1. The Weatherford ISD employee
handbook describes you as
"Instructional Generalist" but you are
elsewhere described as working for
WISD as a "Generalist Coordinator."
Which is it -- what is your exact
title? And what is your current
salary? Do you have or have access
to a Weatherford ISD
credit/procurement card of any kind?
2. It was my understanding a while
back that you are now working
part-time for Weatherford ISD,
25-30 hours per week. Is this true?
If you are only working part-time, and
have resigned your Geography Bee
position, why did you say Thursday
that you watched teachers "every
day" in the classroom? What else are
you doing where you would be
watching teachers every day?
3. What were you conferring with
Dan Quinn and Kathy Miller of
Texas Freedom Network about
Thursday? Are you a volunteer for
them? Does TFN pay you in any
capacity in any form including meals
and lodging, etc.? Why would you
have been paying such close
attention to TFN -- what input from
them do you find valuable? Do you
consider TFN "mainstream"?
4. When advocating adoption of the
WWII strand as written by the social
studies team, on what did you base
your statement regarding women in
factories as typified by Rosie the
Riveter? Had you researched this
amendment yourself or was your
position based on information
furnished to you by Dan, Kathy,
Sharon Pope -- or some other
individual and/or group, and if so,
whom? For clarification, here is
what I have published: " ' (A)
describe the economic effects of
World War II on the Home Front,
such as the end of the Great
Depression, rationing, and women and
minority employment.' Mentioning the
example of Rosie the Riveter in
making her point, Pat said that one of
the results of WWII was that for the
first time women worked in factories
in great numbers."
5. On Thursday night, you said into
the mic, "This is how they win.
They confuse you." What did you
mean? Who is "they?" Who is
"you"? Did you feel that you were
experiencing a state of confusion
Thursday night? Did you feel up to
the position to which you have been
elected? Did you feel that some folks
were ganging up on you, so to speak,
and if so, whom?
6. Although you have been elected to
the State Board of Education as a
Republican, you appear to embrace
liberal/progressive views as
evidenced by your statements in
support of various amendments on
Thursday. Would appreciate your
thoughts an insights on why you have
run as a Republican rather than as
a Democrat.
(Sent March 15, 2010 and March 24,
2010; have also attemtped to contact
Pat via telephone.)
| Clearing up rumors about school requirements and the Texas Board of Education GAIL LOWE Guest column Monday February 1, 2010 Waco Tribune-Herald If a lie is repeated often enough, at some point people will start to believe it. Such is the case with the notion that the State Board of Education is removing all mention of Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall from Texas ’ curriculum standards and textbooks. As chairman of the board, I can attest that the board has been inundated with correspondence and phone calls from across the country, demanding that these individuals not be excised. But the rumor is untrue. The State Board of Education has stated publicly at each meeting since July 2009 — when the rumor was fueled by erroneous media reports and e-mail blasts by national organizations — that our members have no intention of removing either Chavez or Marshall from the social studies curriculum, which is currently under review. A vote to adopt these revised standards will come this spring. We believe students should know the legacy of Chavez, who secured better working conditions for migrant farm workers and co-founded the United Farm Workers organization. We also expect students to understand the contributions of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Marshall and his role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling on civil rights. Lately, more erroneous reports have emerged that the State Board of Education was deleting references to Christmas from Texas classrooms. Although a teacher panel had recommended removing instructional material on Christmas and the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah from a sixth-grade requirement that students learn about major religious holidays celebrated around the world, the board again repeatedly announced we would not remove these holidays. Most recently, some newspapers reported that the board had proposed removal of “many significant Latinos” from the social studies curriculum and the exclusion of civil rights groups and minorities. One wonders whether these journalists have actually examined the standards or whether they prefer to perpetuate these unsubstantiated rumors without verification. For example, the standard governing “U.S. History Since 1877” requires that high school students study political issues such as Indian policies, growth of political machines, growth of labor unions, farm issues and social issues that affect women and minorities. Teachers are required to describe the role of political organizations that promoted the civil rights movement, policies that created the Great Society, affirmative action and Title IX. Curriculum also must include explanations on how the contributions of people of various racial, ethnic and religious groups have shaped American culture. Among those listed for study in this curriculum are Chavez and Marshall, as well as Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. DuBois, Marcus Garvey and Martin Luther King Jr. Our younger students must study the following: the Tuskegee Airmen, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, singer Lydia Mendoza, Colin Powell, Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. The State Board of Education recognizes that a fundamental principle of our republic is that all men are created equal, endowed by God with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — regardless of racial or ethnic heritage. We believe Texas students should study historically significant men and women based on the individuals’ contributions to our state and nation, not based on their surname or skin color. And they must understand that these ideals are part of what gives our country its unique position in the world. Our board’s focus is on a general diffusion of knowledge about history and the free-enterprise system, not on the politics of racial or cultural division. Gail Lowe is chairwoman of the 15-member State Board of Education. She lives in Lampasas. Her district includes Waco. |
SBOE chair Gail Lowe had published the following
clarification the prior month:
clarification the prior month:
SBOE members made the point Thursday night that the study
team experts who had drafted the original amendments and to
whom Pat Hardy referred frequently were academic experts. As we can clearly see with just
this one amendment, the academic experts don't always get it right, especially when there's an
ideological filter. Although I don't always agree with some personal viewpoints of some of the
team experts who had drafted the original amendments and to
whom Pat Hardy referred frequently were academic experts. As we can clearly see with just
this one amendment, the academic experts don't always get it right, especially when there's an
ideological filter. Although I don't always agree with some personal viewpoints of some of the
"(A) describe the economic effects of World War II on the Home Front, such as the end of the Great
Depression, rationing, and women and minority employment." Mentioning the example of Rosie the
Depression, rationing, and women and minority employment." Mentioning the example of Rosie the
| May 2010 update: Still no response from Pat Hardy. |