Date sent: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 14:07:35 -0600 (CST)
From: LindaP (Texas)
Subject: TBEC Highlights

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http://www-tenet.cc.utexas.edu/Pub/tbec/tn1295.html

T.B.E.C
HIGHLIGHTS


December 1995
Volume 5, Issue 4


Twelve school districts begin fiscal accountability pilot project

Twelve Texas school districts gathered in Austin in November to begin
implementation of a new computer program designed to make them models of
fiscal accountability among public schools.

The pilot project was initiated by State Board of Education Chairman Dr. Jack
Christie, Education Commissioner Dr. Mike Moses, and TBEC Executive Director
John H. Stevens. The three education leaders joined forces last summer to have
Texas chosen as a test site for the Finance Analysis Model (FAM) software
developed by the national accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.B and the
Center for Workforce Preparation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Representatives from the school districts spent three days at the IBM training
facility in Austin loading their district's financial data into the FAM
computer program and learning how to use it to produce more than 160
district-wide and campus-specific reports.

"The Finance Analysis Model is a powerful management tool for local
educators," said Sheree Speakman, national partner in charge of K-12 education
for Coopers & Lybrand. "We designed it so people can look at how schools
allocate resources in three important ways." Speakman explained that the
Finance Analysis Model reports the dollars spent on various educational
functions such as instruction, instructional support, operations, leadership,
and other commitments including capital expenditures. It calculates the per
pupil costs of programs like special education, bilingual education, vocation
education, chapter 1 & 2, summer school, and general education. FAM compares
how much money is allocated to elementary, middle, and high schools and also
breaks out the cost of such things as food service, transportation, and
extracurricular activities.

This program is an essential tool for improving fiscal accountability in Texas
public education, said John Stevens, Executive Director of TBEC and manager of
the project.

"To be able to minimize waste and allocate resources to areas of greatest
priority, schools, like businesses, must clearly identify how funds are being
spent. Parents, taxpayers and other members of the community also have a right
to this information," Stevens said.

"We are convinced this computer program is the best technology available to
meet both of those needs," he continued. "That is why the education community,
business, and other citizens have joined together to bring it to Texas
schools."

Financial support for the project is being provided by TEA, foundations,
businesses, and the participating twelve districts which include Tyler, Chapel
Hill, Quitman, Tomball, Mt. Pleasant, Dickinson, Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB),
Waco, Northside, San Antonio, El Paso, and Houston.

After the pilot project has been reviewed, TBEC will work with Commissioner
Moses and other interested business and education leaders dedicated to
improving the performance of the public school system to develop a plan for
statewide implementation for the Financial Analysis Model.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional Meetings

East Texas Conference
The East Texas Business and Education Coalition will present the highlights of
the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) at its fourth annual conference in
Nacogdoches December 7.

KERA, adopted four years ago, is considered as one of the most comprehensive
school restructuring efforts in the nation. Student achievement has increased
15% since its inception.

For more information, contact Bennat Mullen at 409/468-2908, or Rick Schmidt
at 409/569-9422, ext. 158.

West Texas Conference
Commissioner of Education Mike Moses will be the keynote speaker at the West
Texas Regional Meeting February 27 in Abilene.

The day-long meeting will have breakout sessions and showcase various
programs, including Texas Scholars.

Sponsoring the event are the Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium, TBEC, and the
Abilene Education Council.

For more information, contact Kay Hartgraves, Director of Community
Relations/Programs at the Abilene ISD at 915/677-1444, or Nancy Smith with the
Abilene Education Council at 915/677-7241.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public education Exxon celebrate 40-year relationship

Exxon Corporation is a company with a long history of supporting education
through the volunteer efforts of its employees, the development of programs,
and financial support of universities, colleges, schools, and community
organizations.

Established in 1955, the Exxon Education Foundation develops and implements
support of educational initiatives and programs. Now observing its fortieth
anniversary, the EEF has made grants totaling $406 million to a broad range of
programs designed to improve education from kindergarten through college.

Exxon was one of the original founding companies of TBEC. They, with other
founding companies, helped set up the organizational structure and continue to
support TBEC in its endeavors to link community businesses with their local
schools.

Since 1988, EEF's K-3 Math Specialist Program has awarded $6 million to
teachers in 76 school districts across the nation to improve mathematics
instruction. Applying the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Standards, the new approach teaches students how to reason, communicate
mathematically and gain confidence in their ability to solve problems.

To support teachers, EEF has established grants for IMPACT II, a national
teacher networking program with more than 25,000 teachers who share a desire
to make learning more exciting. Members may apply for small grants to write or
adapt innovative classroom projects for use in other schools. IMPACT II also
provides money for portable learning centers and substitutes so teachers can
visit other classrooms to observe new approaches.

The Exxon Energy Cube started as a pilot program in 1991 in Florida, South
Carolina, and Texas. The cube, developed by members of the National Science
Teachers Association, is a box filled with experiments, videotapes, posters,
projects, a simulation game, and other material. It is designed to provide
secondary school science teachers resources for incorporating energy
information into their courses.

EEF funds a program developed by the Tomas Rivera Center, a national Latino
policy institute based in Claremont, California, which is providing support
for Latinos who want to become teachers. This program works with three
universities in Texas: Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, and the
University of Texas campuses at El Paso and Edinburg, along with schools in
New Mexico and California, to establish learning centers.

Other EEF programs also support the educational advancement of minorities and
provide three for one matching funds for Exxon employee and retiree gifts to
colleges and universities. Last year, 69 Texas schools shared $2.9 million in
these matching gifts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Watson elected TBEC co-chair from business community

Eddie Watson, vice chairman of TU Electric, has been elected co-chairman of
TBEC's Board of Directors.

"I look forward to working with such a dedicated group of business people in
trying to improve the education of our young people," Watson said. "If we all
work together, we can make a difference."

Watson has been with the Texas Utilities System since 1952. He worked in
engineering and sales and held several management positions, including manager
in Andrews, Odessa, and Wichita Falls. He was named a division vice president
in 1976.

He became a corporate vice president of TU Electric in 1984 and in 1985 was
appointed senior vice president of TU Electric and TU Services. He became an
executive vice president in 1991 and vice chairman in 1992. He was elected to
the Board of Directors of TU Electric in 1987.

Watson is a native of Wichita Falls, attended high school in Iowa Park, and
has been active in economic development and education efforts in Texas.

He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Texas Association of
Business and Chambers of Commerce and the Texas Research League. He also
serves on the Board of Regents of Midwestern State University in Wichita
Falls.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Randolph named to Telecommunication Infrastructure Fund Board

TBEC Coordinating Committee chairman Joe Randolph has been named to the new
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund board which will help disburse $1.5
billion in grants and loans over the next 10 years to schools, hospitals, and
libraries.

The money will come from state fees paid by telecommunications companies and
will help pay for distance learning and other projects involving computers and
video equipment.

Randolph was appointed by Gov. George W. Bush along with Carolyn Bacon of
Dallas, vice chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; and Roger
Benavides of San Antonio, chief financial officer of Contemporary
Constructors, Inc.

Gov. Bush also named to the board three people recommended by House Speaker
Pete Laney. J. Clinton Formby of Hereford is president of Formby Stations and
managing partner of Hereford Cablevision. Kay Karr of Dell City is
superintendent of the Dell City ISD, and Gwen Safford of Lubbuck is president
of University Medical Center at Texas Tech University.

Three other appointments to the board were made last summer by Lt. Gov. Bob
Bullock. John Collins, an attorney in Dallas; Harold Guthrie, superintendent
of the Spring Branch schools; and Mark Yudof, executive vice president and
provost of the University of Texas.

The nine appointees are subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate, which
convenes in January 1997, but they will begin serving immediately.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas schools raise funds for Tribute to Texas Childrens Campaign

Texas schools are in the home stretch in raising funds for one of the most
ambitious projects the education community has ever undertaken the Tribute to
Texas Children.

The Tribute campaign, which ends in May 1996, will culminate in the placing of
bronze statutes of children next to the Tyler Rose Garden at the Texas Capitol
in Austin. The monument will be dedicated in the spring of 1997 and will be
the only one of its kind in the United States.

"We believe it's appropriate to honor those who will shape the future of Texas
and the world," said Brad Duggan, executive director of the Texas Elementary
Principals and Supervisors Association. "These statutes will stand as a
permanent reminder of the value and importance of our children."

Duggan added that the statutes will make an important statement not only to
Texas children, but also to Texas legislators.

"Every time a member of the legislature or state government passes the
monument, they will be reminded of how important their jobs are in determining
our children's future," he said.

The Tribute to Texas Children officially started in April 1993, when the Texas
Legislature passed a bill directing the State Preservation Board to include on
the Capitol grounds a permanent monument to children and to accept funds
raised totally by private donations.

TEPSA and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals then became
co-coordinators of the project and began their efforts in January 1994 in
collaboration with other Texas education associations. Today, more than 760
schools across the state are participating in the Tribute campaign, and funds
have been collected through everything from penny drives to ice cream sales.

For more information, contact TEPSA at 512/478-5268.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Employee's Promise"

While many businesses support education programs with grants, The U.S.
Department of Education has introduced an initiative, "The Employer's
Promise," to encourage businesses, large and small, to become involved on a
more personal level.

"In the U.S. Department of Education, we are developing policies to make it a
model employer in the federal government," Secretary of Education Richard
Riley said in a letter to company CEOs. "Some activities include flextime and
compressed time leave policies, lunch-time parenting seminars, and
administrative leave provisions for those helping at schools."

The Promise encourages businesses to volunteer in school districts and to
offer employees with children flexible schedules so they can become involved
in their children's school activities. Other companies offer seminars on a
range of parenting issues, such as family involvement, helping children with
homework, and activities that promote children's school readiness and success.
A study revealed that thirteen percent of large employers provide child care
for their employees through on- or near-site centers. Other companies have
formed consortium child care centers with several employers.

"Strong families make strong schools," Riley said.

School involvement can be accomplished in a number of ways. Employers can
donate equipment or special expertise, and employees may be given paid time
off to volunteer. Businesses may also foster community task forces, such as
homework hotlines and business and education councils.

The Promise's Statement of Commitment reminds participants of four win/win
results when investments are made in education:

•employers win by helping prepare a highly-skilled and globally-competitive
workforce; •employees win by making positive differences in children's
education and in their local schools; •schools win from increased parental and
community involvement; and •students win from better education.

Businesses signing the Promise commit to identify a contact person who is
authorized to explore and develop options for company involvement in
family-school-community initiatives; take action to implement programs; share
practices after evaluating programs annually; and form partnerships to
promote, implement, and improve family-friendly policies and practices.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Religion and public schools:
An old controversy with new legislation and activist support

A diverse group of religious and civil liberties groups have banded together
to outline a number of constitutionally protected ways public school students
can practice religion.

"I am encouraged by the new spirit of thoughtfulness that seems to be emerging
in the civic dialogue on religion and public education," said U.S. Education
Secretary Richard Riley.

The statement, which is based on a review of Supreme Court rulings on freedom
of expression and religion, was drafted by the American Jewish Congress and
includes signatures from the ACLU, B'nai B'rith, the Christian Legal Society
and the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. The statement explained
that public students have the right to pray individually; to be taught about
the historical influence of religion; to meet in religious clubs before and
after school; to express religious views in reports and artwork; and to wear
clothing or jewelry that bears religious symbolism, writes the Washington
Post.

"Many who labor under the misperception that schools must be religious-free
zones will be surprised at how much accommodation of religious faith is
constitutionally permissible," said Forest Montgomery, counsel of the National
Association of Evangelicals.

Leaders from both sides of the school prayer debate agreed that confusion and
misinformation about which activities are permitted under the constitution
lead many schools to suppress religious actions and prompted many lawsuits
that could have been avoided, reports the paper.

A guidebook written by historian Charles Haynes also broaches the subject of
religion in school, advising teachers, principals, and parents on issues such
as school prayer, religious holidays, and student Bible clubs.

Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public
Education, published by the Gannett-funded Freedom Forum, rejects the idea of
a prayer amendment or even a moment of silence in prayer, but explains how to
uphold student rights of religious expression and the respectful academic
study of religion in various courses.

At the state level, the Louisiana Legislature currently is debating a bill
that allows for certain religious activities in public schools. The bill would
allow for "non-sectarian, non-proselytizing" student-led prayer in public
schools and at school functions.

However, the measure gives authority to administrators to limit the time and
place of prayer and to ensure that it does not interfere with instructional
time, writes the paper.

The bill outlines the right of athletic teams to offer student-led prayers and
for students to include religious references in graduation addresses. It also
provides that no student can be forced to participate in any religious
activity at a public school.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
TMA to honor three teachers with Excellence in Teaching Award

The Texas Medical Association is searching for a few good teachers who are
inspiring their students to become future scientists and physicians through
innovative education programs.

The TMA Excellence in Science Teaching Award honors three Texas teachers who
have cultivated their students' interest in science. Winners will receive
$1,000 each, commemorative plaques and an all-expense paid trip to the awards
ceremony held in May 1996 during the Association's annual session in San
Antonio. Three merit winners will receive $500 and a certificate presented at
ceremonies hosted by local school officials and county medical societies.

Fulltime classroom teachers with at least five years' experience teaching
science at the elementary, junior high or high school level are eligible for
the award. Nominations for the award can be made by principals,
superintendents, PTA or PTO presidents, or members of county medical societies
or alliance chapters.

The nominator must provide basic information about the nominating
organizations, the teacher's school, plus a letter of endorsement. Background
information and a lesson plan must be provided by the selected teacher.

Award nominations and information must be received by TMA on or before January
5, 1996. For more information contact Katie Hurley at 800/880-1300, ext. 1463.


The Texas Medical Association is a professional organization of more than
34,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has
119 component county medical societies around the state. The Association
represents 84 percent of the doctors of medicine licensed and residing in
Texas and 96 percent of the state's allelopathic medical students. TMA's
objective is to improve the health of all Texans.

Texas Business and Education Coalition
400 W. 15th Street, Suite 910
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512/480-8232
Fax: 512/320-0280

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I guess TBEC hasn't read the literature available on KERA :| or perhaps
they helped write it.

Who gives this group the power it has????????
LindaP