Commissioner Williams,
I am a retired Texas Science Teacher, science author of 52 published science investigation books for kids and educators, and now design thermochromic products and activities for Hallcrest, inc.
I tell you this so that you know that I do have an understanding of science and education. Thus, have the expertise to evaluate science curriculum, such as the flawed, incorrect science in the CSCOPE instruction material.
As part of a group of concerned Texas citizens, I testified at the first Senate Education Committee hearing on CSCOPE. My daughter, Ginger Russell, and I created two separate websites dedicated to present information to the public about the flawed CSCOPE material.
Redhotconservative.com and
TxCSCOPEReview.comI live within the boundaries of the Marlin ISD, which has consecutively failed the state tests for seven years. Two years ago I spoke to the interim superintendent, Marsha Ridlehuber and the curriculum director Jamie Johnson about helping the 5th grade science teacher. Both were very negative and both refused my offer. They did not want me to have access to the CSCOPE instruction material because it was at that time not being shown to the public. Ridlehuber is gone but Jamie Johnson is still in postion to keep CSCOPE lessons in the classrooms. I am still not welcome to work with the elementary science teachers even though the 5th grade continues to fail the state test.
TEA has assigned Elizabeth Rowland and a team of others to help Marlin ISD. Sir, failing schools have become the “CASH COW” for TEA monitors and conservators. From the results of Rowland’s improvement plan for Marlin ISD, Rowland has a lifetime job in the district. Taxes are raised to continue to pay for the inept programs of Elizabeth Rowland and others assigned to help improve student performance. Not one of the approved improvement programs actually focuses on improving teacher understanding of core curriculum being taught.
Commissioner, I am questioning the use of Title I money to pay for professional development for the purpose of monitoring how a teacher presents his/her lesson. Rowland has approved Title I money for Lead Your School, which is a list of teacher actions monitors can observe and check on a list. One teacher was written up for sitting at his desk while he recorded attendance on his computer. Teachers are not allowed to sit at their desk unless students are standing around it.
Commissioner, the local ESC-Region 12 receives millions of dollars for money every year to develop professional development. But, most of their professional development programs are expensive. What are they doing with all the grant money? Region 12 is the culprit selling CSCOPE to Marlin ISD.
Sir, something is very wrong with the entire Texas education system. TEA cannot be trusted to send qualified helpers. TEA cannot be trusted to monitor the grant money given to the ESCs, such as the $200 Million dollars from the Rider 42 TEKS grant to be used specifically for teacher professional development. I can provide much more information (facts) about this.
The SBOE cannot be trusted when Thomas Ratliff, a lobbyist for Microsoft is the vice-chairman on the board. Ratliff files charges on grassroot patriots who interfer with anything he promotes. Ratliff promotes CSCOPE because it is an internet program so he promotes that teachers not be allowed to give students textbooks. Marlin provides no textbooks for students.
Sir, How are students going to improve in reading if they are not given books to read?
Senator Patrick, chair of the Senate Education Committee made a behind the scenes deal with the 20 ESCs. Patrick thought he had bargained for CSCOPE to be removed from the Texas schools. But the ESC directors tricked the senator. The results being that Patrick helped delay the Sunset review of the ESCs and in return the ESCs gave the CSCOPE lessons to all the schools who had previously been purchasing these lessons. While the ESCs can no longer sell the CSCOPE lessons, they are allowed to continue selling at the same fee the schedule for using the K-12 lessons as well as the unit assessments for the CSCOPE lessons.
Governor Perry mandated that Common Core not be used in the Texas Schools, not one peep has been heard from him about the ESCs having conventions with workshops using common core or TASA going to common core conventions.
The past Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott, supported TASA, never responded when he received questions about CSCOPE, instead he quickly resigned.
Commissioner Williams, you sir are in a position to Turn Texas Education Around. I am asking you to take a close look at what is going on in Marlin ISD, the lowest academic school in the state of Texas. Help this school district and I am convinced that like falling dominoes, other schools will fall in line.
Sincerely,
Janice VanCleave
B
made final comments insinuating that the concerns surrounding CSCOPE are a myth. So let me get this right. The original CSCOPE lessons are removed, the name is changed to re-brand their image, the managing company disbands and regrouped with a new name, the state auditor releases a bad report in regard to the financials surrounding CSCOPE and Mr. Pryor calls it a myth? Seriously?
put together the following 
