Guiding education

After reading many accounts of the new end-of-year STAAR tests and the interpretation of many districts in how to apply this grade to students’ final course grades, I am disillusioned with the Texas Education Agency and with our lawmakers. And I find it interesting that the fallout of our lawmakers from the summer of 2011 has raised such ire with former state Rep. Jim Dunnam, who initially voted for the new state testing program in 2009.

I wish I could contact TEA and actually receive specific explanations about STAAR, rather than being told “we’ll get that posted soon.”

I personally heard Criss Cloudt, associate education commissioner, tell education district representatives at an accountability forum that she couldn’t tell state Sen. Florence Shapiro that the new testing program was not ready. Shapiro ultimately blocked legislation from repealing the STAAR tests during the 2011 Legislature.

When will the citizens of Texas wake up and realize that things such as national standards and core curriculum for our nation are not bad words? I had the privilege to teach in another state, and trust me: Texas does not have all the answers. I love this state, but the arrogance has got to go.

Parents: Don’t blame the districts for carrying out the intent of the legislation. Lawmakers left that ambiguous language in the law and dropped it on the laps of school districts. And regardless of what school district one attends — Waco, Midway, China Spring, McGregor, Robinson or Lorena — testing scores should be fair all across the state.

I’d love to see Gov. Rick Perry train lawmakers to administer a test for all Texas students using the lengthy 302-page STAAR PowerPoint that TEA provided district testing coordinators. Districts are operating on less money than ever before, yet expected to meet standards for all subpopulation groups on all tests provided.

Shame on Mr. Dunnam, Gov. Perry and the Texas Legislature for making this a district problem. They obviously do not have the pulse of the real world.

Why don’t lawmakers call a special session to resolve these confusing issues?

A change in testing is welcome. But let’s change the pressure points and move slowly so that teachers and administrations have time to adjust.

Tami Hunter, Hewitt

Something stinks

Regarding Barbara Collier’s Feb. 5 letter [“Obama’s popularity”]: How can she and her type be so naive as to think Obama has done anything positive for this country? Sure, he gives a great inspiring speech, but haven’t we learned not to listen to what he says but rather watch what he does?

Wake up and smell the stench out of Washington, D.C.

K.C. Strickland, Axtell

Disability benefits

I receive monthly Social Security based on disability because of Huntington’s disease. The check comes between the eighth and 14th of the month. Contacting my lawmaker has not helped. This is the greatest country in the world. So why don’t they pay disability when Social Security is paid? Rent is normally due on the first.

Dan Makowsky, Waco

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