Date sent: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 14:08:33 -0600 (CST)
From: LindaP (Texas)
Subject: TBEC initiatives

loop members [on bcc]: My comments between the **** and ****- had to add
my two cents
LP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www-tenet.cc.utexas.edu/Pub/tbec/abt.html#initiatives

T.B.E.C
TEXAS BUSINESS
AND EDUCATION COALITION

After Six Years of Collaborative Effort, A Major Force for Public School
Improvement

Public education is the most significant investment in the future of Texas.
The system involves 250,000 educators working to educate 3.7 million students
on 6,000 campuses in 1,050 districts. Annual expenditures exceed $19 billion.
How well that vast system prepares young people for productive citizenship,
more than anything else, will determine the kind of place Texas becomes in the
21st century.

****and just what is the vision for Texas? What will we become in the
21st century?*****

In 1989, dissatisfied with student academic achievement, a group of business
leaders formed the Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC). TBEC brings
together business executives and education leaders in a continuing effort to
improve the performance of the public school system. TBEC's purpose is to
influence the direction of state education policy and stimulate
community-based school improvement initiatives.

**** Ok, so business was not happy that our students could not read,
write or do math- why not promote those basics instead of taking over the
school districts?****

In just six years TBEC has become a major force for change. This has been
possible because of strong support from the Texas business community and
widespread participation of responsible educators.

**** Ya notice they do not mention 'parent's here- seems our
views are not really needed. I attended several TBEC meetings
and I didn't even know about STW then- red flags were up.****

------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBEC and the 1995 Legislative Session

TBEC helped shape the new Texas Education Code that was adopted by the 1995
Legislature. Many of the most important policy objectives in TBEC's strategic
plan were significantly advanced.

**** TBEC had a plan??? Why is the voting public not aware of this?- oh
I forgot- take a look at the board members- if they control the
media- how would we know? ****

Against considerable opposition, the academic accountability system TBEC work
for in 1993 legislative session remains completely in place. TBEC believes it
is desirable to give broad authority to local school districts, but only when
the state has in place a system for holding local educators accountable for
student learning results.

****Someone needs to inform TBEC that there isn't and has never been
academic accountability in our state. Notice that THEY determine
when a district has 'local' control.*****

TBEC supported provisions that provide maximum relief from state regulation
and control through the mechanisms of Home Rule School Districts and Charter
Schools.

****As much as I am against ANY govt. control in our schools-
if there has to be regulations, I at least want to be able
to look at them and see if they apply to my district. If
TBEC provides 'maximum relief' how do I know what is really
going on?****

Limited public school choice allows parents of children in low-performing
schools to transfer students to another public school.

State funded teacher pay raises are linked to increased work days for planning
and professional development.

****This amused me the most- OK teachers we will pay you more BUT
you must work more days and take OUR training seminars to qualify.
Uhmmm, I would think it only fair to pay someone for working-
but I didn't realize pay was connected to lobotomies.****

The new code takes steps to ensure safe and orderly schools. Teachers now have
authority to remove disruptive students from their classrooms, and districts
are required to develop alternative educational programs for students who
cannot function in the regular classroom setting.

****Another personal pet peeve- Have any of you Texans noticed
the very HIGH increase in population of students at these
'alternative' schools? Locally I am seeing more Boot Camp
than I am 'school.'****

------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBEC's New State-Level Initiatives

After the legislative session, TBEC's engaged in a number of new and important
initiatives.

TBEC, Commissioner Mike Moses, and State Board of Education Chairman Jack
Christie are bringing to Texas a school finance analysis computer program
developed by the accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand and the U. S. Chamber of
Commerce. Texas will be on of only ten states to pilot this new product that
provides an in-depth analysis of school district and campus expenditures.

****AH, my two favorite characters in the Texas Comic Book-
Moses and Christie. Christie does not even hold a
college degree. ****

TBEC is leading an effort to establish a Texas Principals Leadership
Initiative to provide professional growth opportunities to help principals
strengthen their skills and improve the performance of their schools.

****Professional growth opportunities????? What in the heck is
that? Do what we want and we will promote you to administration?
It sure is working in my district *****

TBEC is working with the Educational Productivity Council at the University of
Texas on a computer-based performance management system for public schools.
The program enables educators to track student learning from year to year and
make informed decisions to improve school performance.

**** Has anyone seen the German model for education? This is
exactly what they did- tracked the kids and then THEY decided
which 'informed decision' the kids would make..STW!!!!****

TBEC representatives will participate in an interim review of the TEA project
to rewrite the Essential Elements. The purpose is to assure that the
definitions of what Texas students should know and be able to do as they
progress through the school system are linked to the needs of the work place
and the real world. TBEC is uniquely positioned to provide this valuable
insight to the project.


****How sweet- and what did they come up with? MUSH!!!!
Yep TBEC is positioned to provide just that- STW
and if anyone cares to take a look at those essential
elements, I would love feedback on them- especially
if anyone can find academics within.****

------------------------------------------------------------------------
TBEC's Community-Outreach Program

Whatever is done to establish a state framework for reform, schools will be
improved only through local action. TBEC's network of 40 volunteer regional
representatives maintains contact with more than 150 local coalitions,
chambers of commerce and other community-based groups working to improve
schools. The centerpiece of TBEC's local coalition building activity is the
Texas Scholars Program that motivates students to complete a full academic
program in high school. Scholars currently is operating in 142 districts in 62
communities across the state. It builds a collaborative relationship among
local parents, educators, and business, and community people that leads to
other school improvement activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Involvement and Support for TBEC is Needed

The people of TBEC are determined that Texas will remain a desirable place to
live. Improving the performance of the public school system is the key to a
responsible and self-sufficient populace, a vibrant and
internationally-competitive economy, and a peaceful and democratic society.
Texans should be encouraged that public schools are moving in a positive
direction. Student learning results are gradually, but steadily improving.
There is, however, still much to be done at the state and community levels to
achieve the results necessary to secure the future of Texas. There are many
ways that parents, educators, business and community people can help
improvement in TBEC. Become part of this exciting and rewarding effort now.

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

I wish TBEC would take a closer look at the companies on their own board-
most have downsized in Texas in the last ten years- adding to our
unemployment population. My neighbors are always in fear of the dreaded
'pink slip' from Shell, Exxon, IBM, SWBell, Tenneco, Amoco- etc.. Not to
even mention the failed banking corporations- Just what 'work force' are
they training our kids for?
And again- who gives this damn group all their power????????
LindaP