Letters From Leticia Reforming the STAAR Honoring Wounded Warriors and School Finance

7/29/2019 Letters From Leticia Reforming the STAAR Honoring Wounded Warriors and School Finance

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Placido Salazar

[email protected]

Letters From Leticia: Reforming the STAAR,

Honoring Wounded Warriors, and

School Finance

Excerpt from below: The STAAR system is not working. Wemust admit our mistakes and fix the problems. It is not about

us, it's about what's best for school kids.

On several occasions, before the SBOE and before the StateCommittee on Education, I have relayed the message which Ihave heard from several teachers: Its not enough to simplydelaythe implementation of the STAAR system.. but toeradicate it completely and readjust the curriculum to allowteachers to concentrate on teaching our students, basiceducation which would provide these students the ability to solveevery-day, real-life situations in their future careers. They want

to stop teaching to the test,

The American GI Forum Motto: Education is Our Freedom and Freedom Should Be Everybodys Business

Placido Salazar, USAF Retired (Vietnam Veteran You guysremember thatwar, dont you? Some of us are still around.)Commander of Dr. CP Garcia ChapterDr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Org of TX

From: Senator Leticia Van de Putte [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf OfSenator Leticia

Van de PutteSent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 12:23 PM

To:[email protected]: Letters From Leticia: Reforming the STAAR, Honoring Wounded Warriors, and School Finance

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LETTERS FROM LETICIAFebruary 5, 2013

In CaseYou

Missed ItSenator Van de

Putte in the News

Texas PublicRadio: Van de

Putte SaysLawmakers

Must Act NowTo Fix School

Funding

Plaza de Armas:'Very Bad

Decisions': Sen.Van de Putte onthe Women's

Health Program

Express-News:Driver license

waits set to

Time to Reform the STAAR Test Wounded Warriors Day School Finance Ruling Helping Our Military Kids Outstanding Texas State Leader Award!

Time to Reform the STAAR TestBill Would Put the Emphasis Back on LearningSometimes, despite all the research legislators put into a billand all the testimony given, we pass a law which, when it takeseffect and becomes public policy, does not work. Such was thecase when we passed legislation implementing the State ofTexas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testingsystem in 2007 and school accountability system in 2009.

At the time we passed these testing and accountability

measures, it made sense for our students and our schools. Weall believed that these tests would raise standards withoutraising the stakes on kids. But in its implementation, that hasproven not to be the case.

Valid concerns regarding how this testing tool is used, andwhether or not it is a meaningful measure in the 21st century,have been raised by students, parents, teachers, principals,

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shrink

KUHF(Houston):

What Veteran

Issues Will BeAddressed In

This TexasLegislativeSession?

Univision 41:Conoce a Leticia

Van de Putte

Univision

41: Leticia VanDe Putte, unorgullo hispano

(part 2 ofinterview

above)

La Prensa:Bipartisan

lawmakers joinforces to fix

education in TX

Express-News:Rodriguez was

a Democraticactivist with a

heart

Express-News:Prostitution

sting netsteacher,

sheriff'semployee(human

traffickingcoverage)

Texas Public

superintendents, and business leaders.

With its 15 end-of-course exams (EOCs), a complex cumulativescoring system which has to be adhered to in order tograduate, and the requirement that STAAR count as 15 percent

of a student's course grade, an overemphasis developed onpreparation for testing, taking away from the creative learningprocess.

For these reasons, I have teamed up with RepresentativeDiane Patrick, R-Arlington, to authorSenate Bill 240(Rep.Patrick's identical companion bill isHouse Bill 640). I am soexcited to once again team up with Rep. Patrick - I previouslyworked with her on an anti-bullying law passed last session.

Our bill pares down the end-of-course testing regime to the

essentials that truly indicate college- or workforce-readiness.It reduces the number of EOCs from 15 to three: Algebra I,English III, and Writing III.

It also eliminates the cumulative score, which requires thatstudents must achieve a passing average on all high schoolexams within each content area to graduate, and the 15%-of-course grade requirement, and prohibits the use of studentperformance on the EOCs in determining class rank.

It also broadens the accountability system to recognize otherways students can be college- and workforce-ready. It holdsdistricts accountable for their ability to produce students thatnot only pass standardized exams but upon graduation obtainassociates degrees, score college credit levels on AP exams,score college credit levels on SAT, ACT, or IB exams, earn dualcredits, or obtain certifications and licenses.

Finally, the bill deemphasizes these EOCs by prohibiting themfor being used to determine admission to a public university,although it could be considered among other criteria.

These reforms maintain the importance of school

accountability and a rigorous curriculum.

"We have been told that this one-size-fits-all system does notwork for our over 1,200 public school districts and charters -we agree," said my dear friend Rep. Patrick when weintroduced the bills last week. "Senator Van de Putte and Ihave crafted a bill that is a starting point with the goal of

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Radio: 46Arrested OnSouthside In

HumanTrafficking,

ProstitutionSting

San AntonioBusiness

Journal: MostBexar Countysenators drawlots for four-year terms

DISTRICTOFFICE700 N. St. Mary'sStreet, Suite 1725San Antonio, Texas78205(210) 733-6604(210) 733-6605 Fax

CAPITOL OFFICESenate District 26P.O. Box 12068

Capitol StationAustin, Texas 78711(512) 463-0126(512) 463-2114 Fax1 (888) 279-0648

Connect WithSenator Van de

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providing students and families with the freedom to learn andcreate their own future while maintaining what is needed toprepare our students today for a tomorrow we can't begin toimagine."

The STAAR system is not working. We must admit ourmistakes and fix the problems. It is not about us, it's aboutwhat's best for schoolkids.

Military Matters

Wounded Warriors Day

We still have a long legislative session ahead of us, but it's

unlikely anything else remaining on the Senate's calendar willbe as touching and poignant as what we did on January 30:Wounded Warriors Day.

After the sacrifices these brave service members have made forus - receiving injuries both obvious and hidden - we can neverfully repay them. But hopefully, recognizing them in theSenate Chamber - one of the democratic institutions theydefend - at least shows them how much we appreciate them.

We presented six Wounded Warriors with proclamations

thanking them for their service and bravery, and hopefullythey could see what they mean to us - I don't think there was adry eye in the house. It really puts you in awe to come face-to-face with a hero.

My colleague Sen. Brian Birdwell (right) took a deserving place right next to

the rest of the Wounded Warriors we honored.And we honored a Wounded Warrior of our own: Sen. BrianBirdwell of Granbury (District 22), was in the Pentagon onthat awful day of September 11, 2001. When the plane struckthe building, he was just yards away and suffered burns over60% of his body, almost half of which were third-degree. Hisstruggle to recover from those injuries and eventually run forand win elected office is miraculous. I'm proud to call him mycolleague, and grateful to work with him on the Veteran Affairs

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and Military Installations Committee.

I was proud to recognize these heroes on the Senate floor:

Kenneth Howard, from Tarrant County, was recognizedby my colleague, Senator Wendy Davis.Mr. Howard served as a combat engineer in the United StatesArmy 2005-2010. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi

Freedom. His primary duty was training Iraqi soldiers andclearing routes of explosive devices. During his service Mr.Howard was exposed to several high pressure engagements.As a result of these experiences Kenneth contracted PTSD andDepression. He is a successful graduate of Judge Brent Carr'sveteran diversion program and continues to make excellentprogress with his recovery. He received an honorabledischarge upon completion of his service. His awards includeArmy Commendation Medal, OIF Service Medal with twocampaign stars, and unit citations.

LCpl Ivan Sears (Marine Corps):Originally from San Antonio, LCpl Sears was deployed to theMarjah, Helmand Province in Afghanistan with the 2/6 RCT1, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Lejune, NC. He had both

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legs amputated below the knee due to an IED duringdismounted security operations in 2010.

SSgt Mark Juarez (Marine Corps): Originally fromFloresville, SSgt Juarez was deployed to Sangin City,Afghanistan. He was shot in the head while on a foot patrol in2010. He is recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury,hemipleasya to the right side, nerve damage, and a 3rd

degree burn to his right forearm. He is married to Amy andhas three daughters, Elisabeth, Ella, and Emily.

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SPC Cody Miller (Army): Originally from Golden,Mississippi, SPC Miller enlisted in the Army in June of 2010and was stationed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade inVicenza, Italy. He served in the heavy weapons platoon forive months and then moved to the scout platoon. SPC Miller

deployed to Afghanistan in May 2012. While on a route over-watch for a nearby COP, he and his fellow soldiers received

ire from a mountain behind them. SPC Miller was shot in hisleft arm. He received a tendon transfer and is receivingtreatment for nerve damage.

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CW4 Jerry Hamilton (Army): Originally from Lane,South Dakota, CW4 Hamilton enlisted in the Army in 1995 asa Chinook crew member. He went to Korea for one year andGermany for three years where he had three deployments toMacedonia, Kosovo as a Flight Engineer. In 1999, he wasaccepted into flight school and attended the following year.He graduated at the top of his class and chose to fly Chinooks.Stationed at Fort Bragg after flight school, he deployed to

Afghanistan twice and Iraq once. He served as a flightinstructor for 5 years at his two following assignments beforemoving to Fort Campbell. Within two months of arriving atFort Campbell, CW4 Hamilton deployed to Afghanistan for athird time and was hit by shrapnel from a rocket within twoweeks of arriving.

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Tracie M. Harris (Air Force): Tracie joined the Air Forcein January of 1998. She started her first four years of serviceas a security forces police officer. When it came time toreenlist, Tracie cross trained as a military working doghandler, then reenlisted for another six years. During Tracie'salmost 11 years of service she was stationed at Travis AirForce Base, California, and Ramstein Air Force Base,Germany. During this time Tracie was deployed six times.Twice to Kuwait, once to Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Bahrainand Iraq. Tracie has been awarded the Air ForceAchievement Medal four times, the Outstanding Unit Medal

ive times, the Enduring Freedom Medal and Iraqi CampaignMedal.

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SGT Paul Roberts (Army Reserves):Originally fromAustin, SGT Roberts joined the Army in 1989, served fouryears on active duty and was honorably discharged. Hemissed the military lifestyle and joined the Army Reserves 17years later and volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan in 2011with Bravo Company 7-158 Aviation Chinook Unit out ofKansas. Crewing as the left door gunner, his helicopter wasshot down by an IED on Thanksgiving Day in 2011. SGT

Roberts is now in the Warrior Transition Battalion receivingtreatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury and spinal injuries.

Thanks to Senate Doorkeeper Steve Gamboa for this picture.Helping Military Children

Senator Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay) and I filed legislationlast week to require the Texas Education Agency to collect data

related to military-connected students.Senate Bill 308wouldspecifically track military students to be counted and recordedin the Public Education Information Management System(PEIMs).

"Creating a military student identifier will provide lawmakersand educators with the essential data needed to make reality-based, informed decisions," Fraser says. "Knowing how to help

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the children of active duty military personnel is just one waythat we can show our state's commitment to the military."

Senate Bill 308 would allow educational institutions tomonitor critical elements of education success for military-

connected children including academic progress andproficiency, special and advanced program participation, andmobility and dropout rates.

Being able to identify patterns over time and across the state isvital as we work to better educate the children of those whoserve. What is learned from quality data about military-connected students will help all children who experiencefrequent school moves or other disruptions to academiccontinuity.

The intent of the legislation is to collect data to provide keyperformance indicators for local districts to discover bestpractices for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

We will be working on passage of this legislation withRepresentative Jimmy Don Aycock (R-Killeen). Rep. Aycockfiled the companionHouse Bill 525earlier in January.

School Finance System RuledUnconstitutional

Despite Possible Appeal, State Should Act Now

Judge John K. Dietz today ruled in the school finance lawsuit,Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, et. al. v.Michael Williams, Susan Combs and Texas SBOE, finding infavor of the plaintiffs - meaning, he ruled that Texas' schoolfunding system is unconstitutional.

Everyone following this trial has always realized that no matterthe result, it is likely to be appealed to the Texas SupremeCourt. But contrary to what some of my colleagues have

expressed, I do not believe that is a reason to hold off on ourschool finance discussions in the ongoing 83rd LegislativeSession. At the very least, we can start talking now aboutfunding enrollment growth and restoring the devastating $5.4billion in cuts that were made to public education in theprevious legislative session.

Unfortunately, the Texas Legislature has a well-established

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history of waiting for court directives before acting on schoolfinance. But delays just mean additional years of our schoolchildren trying to learn in overcrowded classrooms or trying torebound from failed state mandated tests without any statesupported tutoring. I say let's act now. It doesn't take a rewrite

of the school finance formula or a ruling from the TexasSupreme Court to undo - at the least - the damage of the pasttwo years.

Outstanding Texas State Leader AwardI'm Grateful to Be Recognized by UTPB's Shepperd

Institute

On Friday, I was extremely

honored to receive theOutstanding Texas StateLeader Award from UT-Permian Basin'sJohn BenShepperd Institute.

I was presented with theaward at the Omni Hotel inAustin, along with LeodoroMartinez, Jr. (winner ofOutstanding Texas LocalLeader for his many years ofgreat work in South Texas).

I was humbled by the kindwords said, and to join the company of the award's pastrecipients. Many, such as my dear friend Senator JudithZaffirini (thanks to her for nominating me!), are legislators -but this award is all the more special because it honors leadersfrom all walks of life, such as the late philanthropic leadersGeorge and Ronya Kozmetsky; Dr. Mario Ramirez, who foughtto give South Texans greater access to health care; and the lateBernard Rapoport, who made his marks in business,

philanthropy, and activism.

Past recipients who did serve here in Austin include giantswho mentored me, such as Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock; or who havebeen invaluable in helping me improve Texas, such asAttorney General Greg Abbott, who has worked with me tofight the scourge of human trafficking in this state.

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I'm also excited to receive this award because my nieceElizabeth Murray Curtis is a graduate of UTPB!

My fellow Senator Kel Seliger and UTPB President David Wattspresented me with the award. Kel is a wonderful man who said the

kindest words in his introduction. I'm deeply grateful to both.

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