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Legislation Manipulation ~Is it even worth calling? SB 19 and SB 313

Today in Austin, Texas we will witness in full view the manipulation of legislation by those who seek power and for whom our children’s education and frankly well being is not a top priority. Is it even worth calling our State Representatives to voice our opinion? My take is, make the call, we have to let them know we are watching and we know what they are doing. Click below  to find your State Reps. office number. 

Texas House of Representatives

Today’s legislation manipulation begins with Van Taylor’s SB 19 which is being championed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Thomas Ratliff Paid Lobbyist

Beware- the language to reinforce the Education Code stating that Microsoft Lobbyist and SBOE  (State Board of Education) elected official Thomas Ratliff is illegally holding a seat on the SBOE has been gutted in the legislation. Unless that is put back in the final bill before the vote in the house this legislation will do nothing with respect to Thomas Ratliff. 

Ratliff has been working desperately behind the scenes to make sure his position of power to influence education legislation and policy while being a paid lobbyist with Microsoft (which benefits from the very legislation and policy Ratliff has influence and even a vote on) is not in jeopardy.

Next up is Sen. Kel Seliger’s SB 313, 

Basically, Sen. Seliger used his own SB 313 to replace all of the language in HB 2811 so that now the committee substitute for HB 2811 is identical to SB 313. — http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB313

On Monday 5.25.2015 the Texas House passed SB 313. The final vote (third reading) will be taken on the House floor on Tuesday, May 26.. 

I agree with Donna Garner when she states… “These legislators evidently do not understand the importance of the TEKS and how they are the foundation upon which everything else in education is based.  If the TEKS change, then everything built upon them has to change in order for authentic alignment to occur.  The curriculum materials, teacher professional development, assessment questions, college teacher education courses — all have to change when the TEKS change.”

Moms and Dads, we need to step back and start asking “ourselves” some questions……. When we decide to sign our kids up for AP(Advanced Placement) or Dual Credit courses, are they getting what they really need academically?

1. If our children graduate from high school or college with the attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors that we oppose and we know it is because their teachers believe it is their responsibility to be the devil’s advocate and teach our children to question and even oppose the traditional, foundational beliefs of our family, our country and our religious beliefs, is that really a solid academic education that will serve our children and their future well?

2. Is our child getting college credits in high school more important than protecting our child’s mind and their soul?

3. If your child graduates from high school or college, gets a great high paying job but no longer respects, much less believes, they are worthy of a free and prosperous country, a strong marriage and that by the Grace of God anything is possible, have we done our best to give our children a strong foundation for a happy joy filled life?
In Texas our Social Studies standards are under attack by those who want to change what American and especially Texas Children know about our history.

As author, Bill Ames wrote in this Education UPDATE: Reject Senate Bill 313/House Bill 2811
This legislation gives Contempt-for-America “educators” a second chance to hijack U. S. History, and also allows revisionists to shred other core academic standards as well.

Call your State Representative today and ask him/her to VOTE “NO” on SB 313 by Ken King.

Texas House of Representatives

It reminds me of a what my friend Michael Bohr wrote several months back.  

“Parents, who are the first and forever educators of their children, are the only people who hold the right to determine “the best interests of their child”.

Everyone one else has an agenda that puts their best interests over those of the child and they have done so by taking control of our government.

Their hope is that we continue to fight the false battles they lay down before us and forget that we, the parents, are the sole authority in determining the education and upbringing of our children.

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