Date sent: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 16:15:32 -0600 (CST)
From: LindaP (Texas)
Subject: SBOE past election- TEXAS waivers

Dear Loop members [on bcc]:

If Christie supports phonics- I would sure love to see him back that up- his 'words' outweigh his 'actions'. And please note- the feds have NOT cut their spending OR their strings to Texas.

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8:28 PM 1/30/1996

Education board blasted in bid to topple incumbent

By MELANIE MARKLEY

Copyright 1996 Houston Chronicle

Former teacher Terri Leo blasted state education policies Tuesday in her bid to unseat Jack Christie, who is seeking re-election to the District 6 seat on the state Board of Education.

Leo, who attacked Christie --the current board chairman -- on a number of issues, said she wants to see phonics returned the classroom, "moral relativism" removed from state-approved textbooks and the rejection of federal funding for Goals 2000 curriculum standards.

Leo's remarks came during a luncheon speech to the Houston Pachyderm Club, a local Republican organization.

Both candidates will square off in the March 12 Republican primary in the state Board of Education race. No Democrats are seeking the post, virtually assuring the GOP primary winner a seat on the board.

Acknowledging that politics is "the least-liked" part of his job, Christie stressed his years of educational accomplishments and tried to fend off Leo's criticism by pointing out that during his tenure as board chairman the federal government is deregulating its spending in Texas schools.

Earlier this week, state officials announced Texas is one of five states being allowed to waive regulations over the way they spend federal education dollars.

But Leo, a former teacher who lives in the Klein Independent School District in northern Harris County, criticized the board for accepting a federal Goals 2000 grant that she said several other states have returned.

Leo said she is concerned about the use of "whole language" in the teaching of reading. Students who are taught to read by the "whole language"method learn to recognize words in context rather than by sounding them out phonetically.

Christie, a former Spring Branch school board member, said he has never been a promoter of "whole language" and considers phonics an important aspect of reading instruction.

On other issues, Leo acknowledged that her oldest child does attend a private school but added, "I don't think that needs to be a campaign issue."

While denying that she is being funded by the Christian Coalition, Leo said she is backed by grassroots "down-the-block people."Christie has been endorsed by Gov. George W. Bush.