| Dear Senator Shapiro:
It has come to my understanding that you recently added a provision to the committee substitute to House Bill 1 that stops the Texas Education Agency from ordering new elementary school math textbooks. As you should be well aware, the current math textbooks do not include material that is tested on the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test. Part of HB 1 will also include money for a merit-based teacher pay raise.
How are students supposed to pass a test if the material covered in the test isn't in their textbooks? How are teachers supposed to raise their student's TAKS scores - and, thereafter, their salaries - if you are forcing them to teach with textbooks that still say that Ann Richards is Governor? How do you expect Texas school children to keep up with students from other states and other countries if they don't have the tools they need to succeed?
At a time when students all over the world are scoring far better in math and science than American students, why would you want to force students to fall farther behind?
This latest provision is simply outrageous. It is my sincere hope that you, the Senate, or at least the final conference committee on House Bill 1 will reconsider cutting textbooks from our Texas classrooms.
Sincerely,
Phillip Martin |
