What You Need to Know

Early this week 10 Texas legislators, the HB 5 Conference Committee, will meet to decide on the final version of HB 5, the bill that reforms public education assessment at the high school level, graduation requirements, and proposes a new accountability system for schools.

What You Can Do

Call the HB5 Conferees Today! Thanks them for their hard work for Texas Children.

Ask them to support these items in HB5:

• No more than 4 EOC tests – Algebra I, English II – reading and writing combined, Biology, and U.S. History
• Prohibiting EOC tests, except the English test, from being administered before the third full week in May
• State-funding for remediation for students who fail an EOC test
• Distinguished level of performance described in Aycock version
• Endorsement options described in Aycock version
• Requiring state-funded administration of SAT Subject/ACT Explore in 8th grade, PSAT/ACT Plan in 10th and SAT/ACT in 11th

Call or email today – it will make a difference!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Voting hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Denton County Elections Administration / Voter Registration

Looking for your polling station? Wonder where you can vote?
Click here, type in your name and birthday and do your duty!

Call Lt. Governor Dewhurst Today!

Urge Him To Allow Debate On HB 5 This Week!

What You Need To Know

HB 5 reforms the STAAR Assessment Program and makes needed changes to graduation requirements. The most important features of HB 5 are:

1. Reduction in the number of required end-of-course exams from 15 to the following FIVE tests:
    Algebra I
    English I – reading and writing combined
    English II – reading and writing combined
    Biology
    U.S. History
2. Maintenance of rigorous graduation requirements while providing more flexibility for students to seek endorsements in areas of personal interest. Students will be better prepared for college or for career.

These reforms are critical for Texas youth. Students’ needs and interests vary and high school requirements must acknowledge those differences and create opportunities for all students to be prepared for college or workforce.

What You Can Do

TODAY CALL Lt. Governor Dewhurst @ (512)463-0001.

URGE HIM TO ALLOW THE SENATE TO DEBATE HB 5 THIS WEEK AND

• TO OPPOSE ADDITIONAL EOC TESTS IN HB 5
• TO OPPOSE ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

CALL OR EMAIL TODAY!

YOUR CALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR TEXAS SCHOOL CHILDREN!

What you need to know:

Texas PTA applauds the decision of lawmakers to commit $2.5 billion to Texas’ public schools for the next two years, above and beyond the amount budgeted for the current two year budget.

Tomorrow the Texas House will debate the budget for the next two years. While a restoration of $2.5 billion is a good step in the right direction, it is not enough to fill the huge hole created with the $5.4 billion cuts for ’12-‘13.

Texas PTA urges members of the Texas House to continue to prioritize public school students by restoring the full $5.4 billion cut from the current budget.

Students don’t wait – they don’t wait to learn or to grow, nor do they wait for the resolution of lawsuits. They continue to require strong instruction, robust remediation, safe and secure buildings.

What you can do:

Find your state representative’s contact information:  Who Represents Me?

Call or email your state representative tonight or tomorrow with this message:

Recommit to Texas Schools by Restoring $5.4 billion to Texas Public Schools!