FUBAR

[Longhorn_Platinum]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="magenta">A couple of days ago, I posted this in the Moderators Forum. Now, I'm showing the rest of you. If any of you can help, or make positive suggestions, I'd appreciate anything you can contribute. If you think the ideä is bad, you're welcome to your opinion, &amp; are free to express it, but don't be surprised if I ignore you, especially if you are in the minority. Here goes:</font>

[ QUOTE ]
Longhorn_Platinum said:
http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="blue">After all I've been reading about the public "school" system, &amp; all I'm experiëncing at my job every workday, I'm FED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION. I hereby reännounce my candidacy for Texas Education Commissioner, &amp; I'M NOT JOKING. I really want the job. Unfortunately, it is not an elected position, but an appointed one. It really disgusts me to see Texas governors repeatedly make the mistake of appointing career bureaucrats who haven't darkened the door of a classroom (except for an occasional photo op with a gifted-&amp;-talented class) in decades, &amp; know precious little about what is actually going on in our "schools". I'm tired of these nitwits (the educrats) sitting in their ivory tower in Austin, making misguided policies that DON'T WORK, while pretending that they are "raising standards". It disgusts me that I can give my sophomore geometry students a test in basic math skills, &amp; the majority of them fail, even though, this year, I let them use a calculator. I'm tired of listening to pompous educrats declare their opposition to vouchers &amp; homeschooling, even though their own schools are in pathetic shape. I cringe to see public "school" marquees proclaiming "WE ARE A 'RECOGNIZED' CAMPUS", when I know all too well that the rating system is a total crock*. I'm disgusted with the total coverup of how bad our "schools" really are, instead of enjoying policies that are designed to correct the shortcomings. I could go on &amp; on, but you get the picture.

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif A few days ago, I heard the substitute host on The Michael Reagan Show talk about how George W. Bush decided to seek the White House, &amp; W felt it was a calling from God, &amp; got the blessing from several Austin-areä ministers. This morning, I had a talk with my pastor, &amp; we agreed it is a good ideä for me to get serious about this. I mean it. I have the expertise, &amp; the inside knowledge that most high-level administrators lack, to improve how our public "schools" are beïng run. I would bring to the position the mind of a teacher, not the mind of a bureaucrat. If any of you can make suggestions on how to get started, then post them here. If you think it's a good enough ideä, I'll copy &amp; paste most of this, &amp; repost it in the Members Lounge</font> <font color="magenta">(I decided the War Room would be better)</font><font color="blue">, for regular members to see. If any of you have any political ties, &amp; can help get me recommended to someöne in Austin, that would be a great help. Prayers are appreciated, too. Oh, &amp; Warlady, about a year ago, you posted some information about then-Commissioner Jim Nelson, who, thankfully, has resigned. If you don't mind, do you know where I can find information about the position of Texas Education Commissioner? It might help if I knew exactly how much authority the commissioner actually has, before I go mouthing off about what I'll do, when I get the job.

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif Okay, by now, most of you think I've gone totally bonkers, but I'm entirely serious. Maybe I'm nuts, but I'm sick of seeïng the inmates running the asylum. I'm tired of a system where people who don't know how to run a classroom are entrusted to run an entire educational system. If you think my ideä is goofy, then say so, but be prepared to come up with something better.

*According to a Texas Educaton Agency report, Edison Middle School in Port Arthur received an "acceptable" campus rating in 1996, in spite of the fact that the failure rates on the TAAS, a below-grade-level test, were 33.7% for writing, 45.6% for reading, &amp; 59.2% for math.</font>

[/ QUOTE ]

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

OK, I don't live in Texas, but I found this in the Texas Statutes. (Note: Link is provided several posts down) Be sure to read the whole thing, as sometimes items are repealed by a later addition. I'm going to divide the different sections into separate posts, to make it easier to read:


§ 7.055. Commissioner of Education Powers and Duties


(a) The commissioner has the powers and duties provided by Subsection (b).


(b)(1) The commissioner shall serve as the educational leader of the state.


(2) The commissioner shall serve as executive officer of the agency and as executive secretary of the board.


(3) The commissioner shall carry out the duties imposed on the commissioner by the board or the legislature.


(4) The commissioner shall prescribe a uniform system of forms, reports, and records necessary to fulfill the reporting and recordkeeping requirements of this title.


(5) The commissioner may delegate ministerial and executive functions to agency staff and may employ division heads and any other employees and clerks to perform the duties of the agency.


(6) The commissioner shall adopt an annual budget for operating the Foundation School Program as prescribed by Subsection (c).


(7) The commissioner may issue vouchers for the expenditures of the agency and shall examine and must approve any account to be paid out of the school funds before the comptroller may issue a warrant.


(8) The commissioner shall file annually with the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a complete and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and disbursed by the agency during the preceding fiscal year.


(9) The commissioner shall have a manual published at least once every two years that contains Title 1 and this title, any other provisions of this code relating specifically to public primary or secondary education, and an appendix of all other state laws relating to public primary or secondary education and shall provide for the distribution of the manual as determined by the board.


(10) The commissioner may visit different areas of this state, address teachers' associations and educational gatherings, instruct teachers, and promote all aspects of education and may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred under this subdivision to the extent authorized by the General Appropriations Act.


(11) The commissioner may appoint advisory committees, in accordance with Chapter 2110, Government Code, as necessary to advise the commissioner in carrying out the duties and mission of the agency.


(12) The commissioner shall appoint an agency auditor.


(13) The commissioner may provide for reductions in the number of agency employees.


(14) The commissioner shall carry out duties relating to the investment capital fund under Section 7.024.


(15) The commissioner shall review and act, if necessary, on applications for waivers under Section 7.056.


(16) The commissioner shall carry out duties relating to regional education service centers as specified under Chapter 8.


(17) The commissioner shall distribute funds to open-enrollment charter schools as required under Subchapter D, Chapter 12.


(18) The commissioner shall adopt a recommended appraisal process and criteria on which to appraise the performance of teachers, a recommended appraisal process and criteria on which to appraise the performance of administrators, and a job description and evaluation form for use in evaluating counselors, as provided by Subchapter H, Chapter 21.


(19) The commissioner shall coordinate and implement teacher recruitment programs under Section 21.004.


(20) The commissioner shall perform duties in connection with the certification and assignment of hearing examiners as provided by Subchapter F, Chapter 21.


(21) The commissioner shall carry out duties under the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program under Subchapter C, Chapter 28.



(22) The commissioner may adopt rules for optional extended year programs under Section 29.082.


(23) The commissioner shall monitor and evaluate prekindergarten programs and other child-care programs as required under Section 29.154.


(24) The commissioner, with the approval of the board, shall develop and implement a plan for the coordination of services to children with disabilities as required under Section 30.001.


(25) The commissioner shall develop a system to distribute to school districts or regional education service centers a special supplemental allowance for students with visual impairments as required under Section 30.002.


(26) The commissioner, with the assistance of the comptroller, shall determine amounts to be distributed to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf as provided by Section 30.003 and to the Texas Youth Commission as provided by Section 30.102.



(27) The commissioner shall establish a procedure for resolution of disputes between a school district and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired under Section 30.021.


(28) The commissioner shall perform duties relating to the funding, adoption, and purchase of textbooks under Chapter 31.



(29) The commissioner may enter into contracts concerning technology in the public school system as authorized under Chapter 32.


(30) The commissioner shall adopt a recommended contract form for the use, acquisition, or lease with option to purchase of school buses under Section 34.009.


(31) The commissioner shall ensure that the cost of using school buses for a purpose other than the transportation of students to or from school is properly identified in the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) under Section 34.010.


(32) The commissioner shall perform duties in connection with the public school accountability system as prescribed by Chapter 39.


(33) Repealed by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 397, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.


(34) The commissioner shall perform duties in connection with the equalized wealth level under Chapter 41.


(35) The commissioner shall perform duties in connection with the Foundation School Program as prescribed by Chapter 42.


(36) The commissioner shall establish advisory guidelines relating to the fiscal management of a school district and report annually to the board on the status of school district fiscal management as required under Section 44.001.


(37) The commissioner shall review school district audit reports as required under Section 44.008.


(38) The commissioner shall perform duties in connection with the guaranteed bond program as prescribed by Subchapter C, Chapter 45.


(39) The commissioner shall cooperate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in connection with the Texas partnership and scholarship program under Subchapter P, Chapter 61.


(40) The commissioner shall suspend the certificate of an educator or permit of a teacher who violates Chapter 617, Government Code.



(41) The commissioner shall adopt rules relating to extracurricular activities under Section 33.081 and approve or disapprove University Interscholastic League rules and procedures under Section 33.083.



(c) The budget the commissioner adopts under Subsection (b) for operating the Foundation School Program must be in accordance with legislative appropriations and provide funds for the administration and operation of the agency and any other necessary expense. The budget must designate any expense of operating the agency or operating a program for which the board has responsibility that is paid from the Foundation School Program. The budget must designate program expenses that may be paid out of the foundation school fund, other state funds, fees, federal funds, or funds earned under interagency contract. Before adopting the budget, the commissioner must submit the budget to the board for review and, after receiving any comments of the board, present the operating budget to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board. The commissioner shall provide appropriate information on proposed budget expenditures to the comptroller to assure that all payments are paid from the appropriate funds in a timely and efficient manner.


Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.


Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 6.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, § 5.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 397, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, § 4.001(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

§ 7.058. Research on Mathematics Skills Acquisition and Program Effectiveness


From funds appropriated for the purpose, the commissioner shall award to one or more institutions that have demonstrated an ability to conduct science-based research on effective instructional strategies that improve student performance in mathematics a grant to be used to:


(1) develop and identify research on mathematics skills acquisition and student learning in mathematics;


(2) monitor the effectiveness of professional development institutes under Section 21.455 based on performance in mathematics by the students of teachers who have attended an institute;


(3) examine the effect of professional development institutes on the classroom performance of teachers who have attended an institute;


(4) identify common practices used at high-performing school campuses that lead to improved student performance in mathematics; and


(5) develop research on cognitive development in children concerning mathematics skills development.


Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 834, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.


§ 7.059. Mathematics Homework and Grading Service



(a) From funds appropriated for the purpose, the commissioner shall help make available services that assist teachers in providing and grading mathematics homework assignments. The services may also assist teachers in providing and grading student examinations.


(b) In helping make the services described by Subsection (a) available, the commissioner shall consider all methods available through advanced technology, especially methods using the Internet, to distribute mathematics homework assignments and to provide immediate assessment of a student's work on the assignment.


(c) Each homework assignment offered through the service:


(1) must be created with consideration for the underlying mathematical skills required to be taught at the grade level for which the assignment is designed;


(2) may be based on a step-by-step procedure for solving mathematical problems provided by the assignment that may be adapted to individual student and instructor needs;


(3) may be accompanied by a solution to each mathematical problem assigned;


(4) may be accompanied by other pedagogically valuable material appropriate for a particular student; and


(5) to the extent possible, should correlate to an instructional program or programs being used in classrooms in this state.


Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 834, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

§ 7.051. Selection of the Commissioner


The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the commissioner of education.


Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.


§ 7.052. Term of Office


The commissioner serves a term of office of four years commensurate with the term of the governor.


Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.


§ 7.053. Removal From Office


The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, may remove the commissioner from office as provided by Section 9, Article XV, Texas Constitution.


Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.


§ 7.054. Qualification


The commissioner must be a citizen of the United States.


Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, § 1, eff. May 30, 1995.

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

OK.... there are a few more things remaining on waivers and appeals (the commissioner has a great deal of power in this area, make sure you read these - 7.056 and 7.057), but I'm a little bit tired of having to correct for copy/paste. Go to the address listed in this post's title to get to the Texas Legislature. Click on Texas Statutes on the left and navigate to the section on the Commissioner. I'll let you have the joy of finding it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif.

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

No, LP, you aren't nuts. You just want to make some good changes. Best of luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Longhorn_Platinum]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon115.gif <font color="blue">Thanx, ThomasIsUnderrated. Once I've gotten the job, I won't be bored. It looks like the commissioner has lots to do. And you're right. I do want to see some positive changes made. Given how much authority the commissioners have had, it's a wonder that the system is run so poorly.</font>

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

You'd turn around the system in no time. I like how you said, "Once I've gotten the job..' That's a great attitude. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Longhorn_Platinum]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon115.gif <font color="blue">Years ago, I heard that if you pray for something, don't speak against your prayer. Don't ask God to heal you of cancer, then bellyache, "I just know this cancer is gonna kill me! God won't heal me." In that vein, whenever I pray for something, I try to remember to speak as if it's a done deal. BTW, I think it was Lindsay Roberts (Oral's daughter-in-law) who mentioned this.</font>

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

That's neat, LP. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif It makes sense. BTW, did you find any humor in the section titled, Qualification?

[Longhorn_Platinum]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/um.gif <font color="blue">No, but now that you mention it, it seems that the commissioner should not just be a U.S. citizen, but a Texas citizen. There should also be some requirement about teacher certification, but there's not. Amazing, isn't it? You have to be certified to run a classroom, but ANYBODY can be selected to run the entire state's education system. You'd think that a governor would have the sense to at least choose someöne with classroom experiënce, but our previous commissioner was an attorney. (I wonder if the "Qualification" for attorney general requires that one be an attorney.) Anyway, I don't find it "humorous". I think it's quite sad.</font>

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

It IS sad. I didn't mean to make light of it. I just couldn't believe that being a U.S. citizen was all that was listed. Anyway, I'm going to go check the South Carolina requirements. It wouldn't shock me if our states were very similar in that respect.

[PeteS_in_CA]

In three words, "GO FOR IT!" Then only 49 states would need a dose of reality at their state-level educracy. In CA the Stuporintendent of Public Instruction (sometimes more accurately spelled without the "L") is elected, and I'm amazed at the number of hacks, incompetents, and morons who win against fantastic opponents.

Once you succed in TX, will you invade CA??!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

hello?

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

Um, hello, Seattle.

[DeclinetoState]

[ QUOTE ]
PeteS_in_CA said:
In CA the Stuporintendent of Public Instruction (sometimes more accurately spelled without the "L") is elected, and I'm amazed at the number of hacks, incompetents, and morons who win against fantastic opponents.


[/ QUOTE ]

Case in point:

[ QUOTE ]
<center><font size="1">September 06, 2002 11:57 AM</font>

Delaine Eastin Fights Home schooling<font size="1">
By William Holzer</font></center>

The home schooling battle in California has brought to the forefront Delaine Eastin, the Superintendent of the California Education Department.

Delaine Eastin has sparked a national reaction to her recent letter stating that parents who homeschool their children are criminals. After facing local and national scrutiny, she then sent a letter to the California Legislature, claiming that home schooling is illegal, demonstrating her unwillingness to back down.

Her allegations were shot down by another letter sent to the California Legislature, from the Home School Legal Defense Association, which affirmed that "California’s Education Code expressly recognizes parent- operated private schools as a legal alternative to public schools."

The HSLDA letter also explains that the case law that Delaine Eastin and the California Education Department are relying on is hopelessly out of date compared to recent precedents and a "1998 amendment that expressly recognizes that parent-operated private schools are legal."

In the face of such overwhelming support for home schooling, Delaine Eastin has not relented.

[/ QUOTE ]

More at the source: http://www.cpinews.net/archives/2002-q3/delaine.eastin.edu/

If it weren't for term limits, she'd still be there.

[Rink]

people like that idiot in california needs to be recalled and tossed out and never allowed to return, since its obvious she isnt interested in reality but the forcing of socialism down everyones throat and making parental choice illegal.

Is this America or is this some 3rd world despotic tin-plated regime where parents arent allowed choice or able to school their own children and sometimes forced to hand their children to the government, 'for their children's own good' dontcha know!!

AZZBirds!

[Longhorn_Platinum]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="blue">When I become Texas Education Commissioner (O hasten the day), I will not make it my business to force as many children as possible into the public education system. I will work to enhance alternatives that will improve the quality of education that each child receives. If homeschooling works (&amp; I believe that it does), it will be encouraged &amp; facilitated.</font>

[DesertFox]

LP, when that halcyon day arrives, I hope you work HARD and TIRELESSLY to get assholes out of the classroom. I don't mean asshole teachers, who never last anyway; but asshole students, who are the most basic reason American public education is in the mess it's in.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="blue">Well, one thing's for sure. We have to stop treating our teachers like babysitters. That's what's beïng done to me right now, in my afternoon classes. They put all these kids in a French class, just so they'll have some place to sit, &amp; hardly any of them will SHUT UP, while I teach the few that belong there. Then, the assistant principal, who won't back me on discipline (he has, in fact, undermined me), has the unmitigated moxy to call me into his office &amp; demand that I pass at least 90% of them, &amp; insist that it's a reflection on me as a teacher that so many of them are failing, even though I have 95% passing at my other school. And how many teachers are giving out unearned passing grades, just to appease jerks like this?

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif Oh, &amp; just so everyone will know that I'm serious about all this, just think about it. Who would make a better governor? A career politician, or a bodybuilder who has built his own business empire? Okay, now, who would make a better education commissioner? A career education bureaucrat, or a teacher with a proven track record in the classroom?

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif Maybe it's time we threw the conventional folly out the window.</font>

[Longhorn_Platinum]

[ QUOTE ]
DesertFox said:
LP, when that halcyon day arrives, I hope you work HARD and TIRELESSLY to get assholes out of the classroom. I don't mean asshole teachers, who never last anyway; but asshole students, who are the most basic reason American public education is in the mess it's in.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="blue">Now that I think about your comment, if we get rid of the "asshole" students, then the "asshole" teachers might be more likely to stay. But what we really need to get rid of is are the "asshole"... nah, I won't say it here.</font>

[nosferatuscoffin]

You mean asshole administators. They are the reason the NEA is the powerful cult/union it is. This 'per pupil' spending captia is utter BS as most of the money goes to the Admins whose sole job it is to sit on their asses, catch up on all on the current issue of New Wave Government School Indoctrination Weekly and then bloviate to parents and teachers alike about how things should be done, according to the head honchos at the NEA.

In reality, they are just there to catch the union money from the teachers, when then goes into the DNC coffers, which then goes to elect Dems who then allocate the taxpayer seized monies to each district's school budget, which then goes back to the administrators when then take the union moniesm which then goes back to the DNC coffers, when then helps elects Dems...etc etc etc etc...A truly vicious circle.

I hope the next terrorist attack targets the NEA Headquarters

[DesertFox]

Nos, while I sympathize with where you're coming from, your impression is mistaken of the myriad -- and I mean MYRIAD -- responsibilities of administrators (principals and asst principals) in the public school system. You couldn't pay me enough to have their job. They almost never get any time off and their days are a succession of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., usually six days a week.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif <font color="blue">Yeah, they have a lot of responsibilities, &amp; sometimes their hands are tied in terms of how far they can go, especially in disciplining students. Still, some of them have helped to creäte an Us vs. Them mentality, with the way they treat teachers. Some of them, not all. Many deserve every penny they earn, but then, others go into admin just for the money.

http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/serious.gif They deserve our support, but they need to treat their teachers like gold. As commissioner, it would be my personal policy that no valid teacher grievance had ever better reach my desk. If it's valid, somebody up the chain of command had better swallow his administrative pride, &amp; rule on behalf of the teacher. If they don't, I will, &amp; it won't be pretty.</font>