Dear Policy Analysts…

Please understand that each word I write, I write with the utmost respect. It is not my intention to use condescension and bullying tactics to get my point across. However, this type of forum lacks face to face body language and tone of voice that convey easiness when discussing tough subjects.

I feel the need to ask why YOU are writing policies to “educate Texans”? Do you have a Master of Science/Art/Education degree in early childhood/primary/secondary education? Have you been working with students in the public school systems for the last 20 years? 10 years? 5 years? 2 years? Are you relying on TEA to “help” and “guide” you through a process of writing utter nonsense that you continue to pontificate upon in these forums? Please don’t read that as angry or mean. It is a serious question that I believe Texans deserve an answer to.

I did vote for Greg Abbott, but only because I could not in good conscience vote for the other candidate. I believe Mr. Abbott has really good intentions regarding education, but I honestly believe that Mr. Abbott and each one of his policy analysts have completely missed the mark regarding education! When I read what he is proposing, I am overwhelmed by the complete disregard for the value of our children, their mental well-being, and the complete lack of understanding you have about child development and how children learn. It’s mind boggling! I can only come to the conclusion that this proposal is a secret way to sabotage public education in order to move over to the privatization of education.

Let me let you in on a little secret. You are fooling NOT ONE person regarding “no common core/CSCOPE” in Texas. It is here. I see it everyday when I walk through the doors of the schools I work in. I feel the need to stop here with what is REALLY going on in our schools, because you all know the complaints. They have been voiced over and over again to deaf ears or excuses of what is considered “better policy”.

Here is my proposal. Scrap every word you’ve written for “educating Texans” and do something that really needs to be done, like cleaning up the bureaucracy in Austin. There are 704 employees of the TEA. Why? Why do we need that many? That is about 675 too many. Quit lying to your constituents about Common Core/CSCOPE (renaming it – come on, really?). We all know what Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 really stem from. Quit making deals with the Pearson lobbyists and playing politics at the expense of our children. This is the kind of direction and leadership we need! We need academics based on developmental milestones of our children. Those of you who don’t work with children everyday need to understand that education cannot fit into a box. Children are AMAZING beings! They do learn like sponges when the material is presented at their level and in a multi-sensory way in which each student has a chance at grasping a concept. Developmental milestones haven’t changed in over 100 years. Why? Because they are based on how a child develops – and that hasn’t changed since the beginning of time. Forcing information and then testing a child on concepts that they are not developmentally ready for is cruel! Where is the common sense? I appeal to your common sense, to your basic desire to do what is right for our children. Please begin your plan to educate Texans by taking politics OUT and putting COMMON SENSE back in.

Thank you for your time.