Daily Archives: 07/14/2010

(Community Matters) I’ve spoken with Eric Klein and like his organization. Unfortunately, the HelpHaiti Fund is not able to support CanDo.org since they don’t have the financial infrastructure to meet reporting requirements. Nevertheless, Steven and I have made personal contributions. I believe he is doing great work.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) I attended the Texas Freedom Network briefing on the results of the poll commissioned with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research – Culture Wars in the Classroom. Texas Voters Call for a Cease-Fire.

Key findings:

• Texas voters believe the public school curriculum should be set by teachers & scholars, not politicians
• Because they are not following this issue closely, a plurality of voters are undecided about whether they support or oppose the new curriculum standards
• Voters who are closely following the curriculum process are more likely to oppose the standards than those following the proceedings less closely (including Republicans and “conservatives”) or not at all
• Despite the fact that a majority of Texas voters believe the separation of church and state is a key principle of the Constitution, nearly half of voters think religion should play a larger role in schools
• After hearing a description of the curriculum adoption process, a strong majority of Texans oppose the curriculum changes
• Opposition is focused on a politicized process that leaves out core concepts and puts a quality education for Texas students at risk

Thanks to Dave Glassco for hosting.  I enjoyed catching up/seeing with many, including TFN ED Kathy Miller, Robbie Ausley, Janice & Joe Pinnelli, Rebecca Leal, Yaël Ouzillou, Dan Quinn and Ryan Valentine.

Texans have got to become engaged with the issue of politicization of our schools. It’s absurd that we are creating a new theopolitical order, acknowledged as completely politically driven, which risks quality of education and career opportunities.