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TAKING BACK OUR CHILDREN’S MINDS — TAG RULING REQUESTED BY SBOE CHAIR

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

 

“Taking Back Our Children’s Minds – TAG Ruling Requested by SBOE Chair”

By Donna Garner

6.10.15

 

For those Texas parents who are frustrated and worried about the type of instructional materials their public school children are being taught, your day has finally come.  

 

I am thrilled that Barbara Cargill, chair of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), has asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (TAG) for a ruling on the issue of instructional materials (IM’s such as textbooks, digitized curriculum, computer systems, programs, etc.) and whether it makes sense for there to be two different sets of rules – one that applies to SBOE-adopted IM’s and another set that applies to IM’s purchased under SB 6. 

 

By law (Texas Education Code), the SBOE has to follow distinct, detailed, and numerous requirements over the IM’s that are publicly adopted by the elected members of the SBOE and that are adopted at the local level.

 

Now Ms. Cargill is asking for the TAG to decide whether those very same TEC requirements should extend to the IM’s purchased under SB 6.  

 

It seems logical that the purpose of the public funds under SB 6 should be to purchase IM’s that cover the Texas curriculum standards (TEKS) and to prepare students for the STAAR/End-of-Course tests to the very same degree that the IM’s on the SBOE-approved list do.  However, this is not occurring in Texas.

 

Case in point: Publishers and Education Service Centers have been allowed under SB 6 to sell their products directly to local school districts without those IM’s having to undergo the close scrutiny and accountability to verify their alignment to the TEKS and STAAR/EOC’s.  SB 6 (using our tax dollars) has allowed CSCOPE and other Common Core-aligned curriculum materials to flood into Texas public schools even though the TAG (Greg Abbott) on 6.17.14 ruled that Common Core is illegal in Texas (RQ-1175-GA).

 

In the 82nd Legislative Session in 2011, hundreds of technology lobbyists came to Texas.  They and Thomas Ratliff (registered lobbyist for Microsoft) pressured the Texas Legislature into passing SB 6; and against the pleas of many concerned grassroots citizens (such as Neal Frey, MerryLynn Gerstenschlager, and others), Gov. Rick Perry signed SB 6 into law in  July 2011.

 

SB 6 allows vendors to sell their costly products without the oversight by the elected members of the Texas State Board of Education.  This is wrong.  Any IM’s that are purchased with our tax dollars should be held to the very same level of accountability as do the IM’s that are on the SBOE-adopted list.  Instructional materials that end up on our Texas students’ desks should be carefully vetted in public hearings and by citizen committees.  

 

Thanks to SBOE Chair Cargill, the matter is now in the hands of the Texas Attorney General.  His ruling should be rendered in a few months.  

 

To read Ms. Cargill’s request to the TAG on 6.8.15, please go to this link:   https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/opinions/51paxton/rq/2015/pdf/RQ0026KP.pdf

 

 

 

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

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Home School Mom Demonized by Texas State Board of Education Member

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I never thought I would be doing what I am doing today and that is fighting for the rights of children in Texas to have a good education. I was fortunate enough to home school my girls which afforded us the ability to travel.  Homeschooling was a personal decision for my husband and I and realize some families are not able to do so. Both my girls went on to finish college and plan on home schooling their children. I believe I can say that home schooling for our family was a huge success. I know many home school families and their children are and have been very successful with their education.

Due to the discovery of a hidden progressive/constructionist curriculum called Cscope in Texas schools, has inspired me to get more involved in educational issues rather public or home school.

Texas State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff obviously thinks a Home School mom is not capable of running for School Board which is absurd.

His behavior is an embarrassment for the state of Texas and totally unethical. Texas can do better!

Thomas Ratliff

Texas State Board of Education Member
Thomas Ratliff

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

www.votegingerrussell.com

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One “Ratliff” Down and One To Go!!

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Matt Rinaldi

Bennett Ratliff

 

Texas HD #115, what a great victory it was!  Moderate incumbent Bennet Ratliff was defeated by conservative Matt Rinaldi.    Congrats Matt! 

Bennett is the son of former Lt. Gov Bill Ratliff and brother to “Bully” State Board education member Thomas Ratliff. All the Ratliffs have had their within the policies of Texas Education.

The following facebook post verify’s Bennett Ratliff is not a conservative.

morgan

One “Ratliff” down and one to go. Our next job will be Thomas Ratliff removed from the SBOE. Grassroots activist are working to remove the Microsoft lobbyist due to due being a lobbyist and serving on the SBOE is against the law. Thomas has no respect for the law and will not step down. His term is up in 2017 and I can assure him we will have someone to replace him.

Today I found the following tweet by Thomas Ratliff. I find his tweet to show such unethical behavior for an elected official.  But I would like to say to Thomas, it is so!

 

Thomas Ratliff

 

SAY IT AIN'T SO!

                                                                                                                                             VoteGingerRussell.com

 

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Texas State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff Rejected Twice

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mean ratliff

 

12.26.13 — FROM ALICE LINAHAN — Voices Empower

 SBOE/ Microsoft Lobbyist Thomas Ratliff TEC complaint against Alice Linahan once again REJECTED!

 http://www.voicesempower.com/sboe-microsoft-lobbyist-thomas-ratliff-tec-complaint-against-alice-linahan-is-once-again-rejected/

 

 

Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) elected official/Microsoft Lobbyist Thomas Ratliff once again files an ethics complaint against me and is once again REJECTED by the Texas Ethics Commission. Well I guess Texas Moms and Dads  we should be flattered. According to Thomas Ratliff we are so effective I should have filed as a paid lobbyist. 

Here is a copy of the letter I just received from the TEC. Thomas Ratliff (TEC)Texas Ethics Complaint Rejected

 Click here to read the 2nd official Complaint. Thomas Ratliff files 2nd TEC (Texas Ethics Complaint) against Texas Mom Alice Linahan

 As I have said before What Thomas Ratliff does not understand is that I am not alone. This is a Movement of Moms and Dads going into their child’s school and saying… 

#CanISee WHAT you are teaching my child, HOW you are teaching my child and WHO is financially benefiting from the curriculum products my child’s teacher is being evaluated on. 

 

 PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK TO READ THE REST OF ALICE LINAHAN’S ARTICLE: http://www.voicesempower.com/sboe-microsoft-lobbyist-thomas-ratliff-tec-complaint-against-alice-linahan-is-once-again-rejected/

 

 

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

 

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Texas State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff Bullies Texas Mom

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raliff

Texas Parents and Grassroots activist have been extremely effective in fighting the progressive CSCOPE Curriculum in Texas Schools and educating the public about it. This does not seem to set well with a RINO sitting on the State Board of Education, Thomas Ratliff. Ratliff is also a paid lobbyist for Microsoft and though it is illegal to sit on the SBOE and be a lobbyist, Ratliff seems to have no respect for the rule of law. Ratliff is so put out that a major dent has been put in the CSCOPE/Common Core agenda across the state of Texas that he is bullying a Texas Mom, Alice Linahan for her activism in fighting CSCOPE by filing ethics charges claiming she is paid for activism. Ratliff’s initial filed ethics complaint was denied which he could not seem to accept and filed a 2nd complaint.

Ratliff’s 1st ethics complaint that was denied. 

Ratliff’s 2nd Ethics Complaint. 

 

THE FOLLOWING IS RATLIFF’S TWITTER PAGE WHERE HE SHOWS IS PROFESSIONALISM ON A REGULAR BASIS.

 

client

12-17-2013 11-11-30 PM

12-17-2013 11-09-49 PM

 

 

 

 

RAT

 

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RATLIFFS~~~~THE GOOD GUYS~~~~~SERIOUSLY?

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ratliff

Thomas, Bill and Bennett Ratliff are well known names when it comes to the money and policy within Texas Education.  These names have become so common taxpayers are questioning their activities and agenda.   Thomas is a Microsoft lobbyist and sits on the Texas State Board of Education and has been vocal against taxpayers who are exposing the controversial Cscope corruption. Bill Ratliff is the Texas former Lt. Governor and has his name on various education related entities like Raise Your Hand Texas and C-Learning. Bennett Ratliff  is Texas House Representative for HD 115.

Friday December 13th Texas Association of Mid Size Schools (TAMS) is having another conference on the Tax Payers dime. It is no surprise that the Ratliff’s are invited speakers but the fact that they would be labeled THE GOOD GUYS on the agenda brought many of us a dose of laughter. Seriously?

There is a movement to impeach Thomas Ratliff from the State Board of Education and if you have not signed the petition please do so HERE. 

ratliff family

Texas Association of Mid Size Schools (TAMS) is one of many liberal progressive groups within the State surviving off of tax money. This week’s conference will address the following topics. 

esc

fees

officers

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Texas SBOE Member Judges Rafael Cruz!

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judge

Nothing Texas State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff does anymore surprises me. Rafael Cruz, Senator Ted Cruz’s father is a pastor in Dallas Texas and Thomas Ratliff thinks Pastor Cruz has not studied his bible properly. Seriously Ratliff, are you judging CRUZ?

RINO RATLIFF supports Indoctrinating Tx School Children with socialist ideology.

RINO RATLIFF supports Indoctrinating Tx School Children with socialist ideology.

 

RATLIFF TWEET

 

Rafael Cruz is a Cuban exile who endured persecution in Cuba. Cruz is a unapologetic critic of Obama and sees a startling resemblance in the actions of those of Fidel Castro and Barack Obama. America needs to wake up our FREEDOM is at stake!

 

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A TEXAS BULLY! State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff

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mean ratliff

 

What would our Commander in Chief Obama and Thomas Ratliff have in common? They are elected representatives that will stop at nothing to accomplish their agenda, for example using “ethics” in intimidating and silence voters from speaking out against their progressive policies or agenda.

Texas State Board of Education member Robert Thomas Ratliff is the son of former Texas Lt Governor Bill Ratliff and brother of Texas Rep. Bennett Ratliff. All three have involved themselves within the Texas education establishment in some shape or form. It appears their goal is that of implementing a progressive ideology within the Texas School System and a  financial one.

Activist across the State have been fighting the progressive/Marxist Texas curriculum CSCOPE for over a year. Who would have thought one of elected officials  would be more concerned with his Lobbying agenda than representing those that elected him. Yes you heard it right! Thomas Ratliff is a paid lobbyist for Microsoft and with the implementation of CSCOPE/Project Based Learning his lobbying job pays off. Despite the fact that is illegal for him to be a paid lobbyist and sit on the SBOE, Thomas has no respect for the rule of Law but seems obsessed in verifying that others abide by it, especially one Texas mom.

In my battle of fighting CSCOPE moms across the state joined in to help educate others. One of those moms was Alice Linahan. I met Alice at an online/blogging conference. Alice is also very politically active and after realizing what was transpiring in Texas school districts across the state  she became involved in exposing it so parents and taxpayers would be informed.

Ratliff obviously had his hand in the cookie jar when it came to CSCOPE. He has filed an ethic charge against Alice Linahan claiming she is a lobbyist that has not filed as such. Here is a copy of his ethics charge. ETHIC CHARGE AGAINST ALICE LINAHAN BY THOMAS RATLIFF. WHAT A  Texas BULLY!

 

Please Check out what Alice Linahan has to say about this HERE. 

 

 

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Ratliff & Whiteker Share a “LOVE” for Education Transformation!

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Ratliffheart 1

State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff and Hudson ISD superintendent Mary Ann Whiteker seem to have a “love” in working together in   promoting a progressive ideology (Type 2 standards) within the Texas School System. Below you find find a press release authored by the two critiqued by Educator Donna Garner.

 

10-17-2013 A Critique by Donna Garner

===================

Can you say, “SUBJECTIVE SCORING?” Can you say, “PR GONE BERSERK”? Can you say, “RIGGED BY THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK GOOD?” Can you say, “CLASSES WILL CONSTANTLY BE DISRUPTED FOR PHOTO-OP PROJECTS, FIELD TRIPS, COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES, PARADES, CELEBRATIONS, GIGANTIC TECHIE-PRODUCED EVENTS — ALL OF WHICH WILL ROB THE SCHOOL DAY OF AN EMPHASIS ON ACADEMICS.”

 

October 14, 2013

PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

For several years we have advocated for a public school accountability system that looked at all 180 days of the school year, not just those days that involve a #2 pencil and a bubble sheet when our kids are taking the state’s standardized tests.

We’re proud to say the Texas Legislature, through the passage of House Bill 5, took public school accountability to the next level. Who benefits from this you ask? Parents, students, local communities, school boards, teachers, and taxpayers, just to name a few. How? Let us explain.

 

House Bill 5 added Section 39.0545 to the Education Code that will create a new LOCAL accountability system that will supplement the STATE accountability system. While the state’s system is still too focused on standardized test results that will grade schools with an over-simplified A-F rating, the local accountability system will look at fine arts, wellness and physical education, community and parental involvement, student participation in community service projects, workforce development, second language acquisition, dropout prevention, gifted and talented programs, and several others. Can you say transparency and accountability?

 

The results of these two accountability systems working together will better inform parents, local communities, interest groups, taxpayers and policymakers of what is really going on in Texas public schools. These two systems will show how school districts are preparing well-rounded students to have the tools to be good citizens, not just good test takers.

Here’s our unsolicited advice for school boards and school district leadership for the 1000+ public school districts. Don’t just tell us what you are doing well. Tell us where you feel you need improvement. Tell us about your shortcomings. Tell us about your successes. We all know public education, like life, can be messy and imperfect sometimes. If the public only sees the positives being reported, we’ll wonder what you’re not telling us. We have have seen countless examples of local communities rallying around their public schools in good times and bad. This will be no exception. Parents, local employers, school board members all stand ready to celebrate with you or roll up our sleeves and work with you, but it starts with open and robust communication.

We believe Texas owes a big THANK YOU to the 83rd Texas Legislature for giving our schools this new tool to inform local communities. We should mention the best part of this new law. It’s implemented and designed by LOCAL communities, without another unfunded mandate being passed by the legislature and implemented by the Texas Education Agency. God Bless Texas.

Here’s our request of the media. Please report the results of BOTH of these systems to our local communities. Please provide your readers/viewers with “The rest of the story” as Paul Harvey would say.

 

Thomas Ratliff Mary Ann Whiteker

Vice-Chair Superintendent

State Board of Education Hudson ISD, Lufkin

 

 

===========

ANOTHER PLAN ON THE WAY TO DESTROYING AN EMPHASIS ON ACADEMICS

 

Please read what another group of administrators is up to (excerpts from the 10.15.13 DMN article posted further on down the page).

 

The Texas High Performance Schools Consortium consortium is setting up its own accountability system and will try to “sell” the idea across the state. They are going to base their accountability system on the PSAT, SAT, and AP scores. Remember that all of these are products of The College Board which is now headed by David Coleman, the lead author of the Common Core Standards for English (i.e., ELA & Literacy in History, Social Studies, Science, and Technology). Coleman has already said he is going to align all of these products with the Common Core Standards.

 

Then, too, these administrators are also going to base scores on students’ portfolios. Do you know what this means? Portfolios are totally scored subjectively and will include techie-produced projects by students (constructivism gone wild). Portfolio assessments were tried in California 15 years ago, and they were a total failure because of their subjectivity. Kentucky also used subjective assessments some years ago. The grade inflation and lack of true accountability have been well documented in both states.

 Do you get it? The push by Ratliff, Whiteker, Texas High Performance Schools Consortium is to have subjective evaluations AND constructivist projects – Type #2 all the way! No “measuring stick” (STAAR/EOC’s) tied to Type #1 standards and tests…

 This is a huge coup for Microsoft, Gates, Pearson, TEKS Resource System, and all of the other big players who will make a fortune from Common Core Standards and techie-based, constructivist accountability systems.

 

These are the direct results of HB 5, HB 866, and the terrible damage that the 83rd Legislative Session did to our Texas public schools when they disrupted the roll out of the 4 x 4 and the Type #1 TEKS and Type #1 STAAR/EOC’s.

Now schools will take their eyes off the ball (academics) and will be double-minded as they attempt to implement a two-track system. This is the dumbing down of America and the indoctrination of our students.

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

 

 

=========

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20131014-texas-school-districts-plan-ratings-without-staar.ece

 

Texas school districts plan ratings without STAAR

 

By JEFFREY WEISS

STAFF WRITER

 

Published: October 14, 2013 10:56 PM

Updated: October 15, 2013 9:42 AM

Despite the governor’s veto, a coalition of Texas school districts is trying to create an accountability system that doesn’t depend on STAAR.

Members of the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium are set to meet in Dallas on Thursday to consider the framework of the new system. It would be voluntary and run parallel to the state ratings.

Current standards, mostly based on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, “focus on a shame and blame environment to drive school improvement,” said Dawson Orr, superintendent of Highland Park ISD, a consortium member.

 

The new idea uses other tests already employed by some school districts. It would tailor some ratings and standards locally. It isn’t designed to compare school districts or schools. There’s no set of rewards for success or penalties for failure.

 

…Northwest is a fast-growing district with about 17,000 students. About 20 percent are Hispanic and 6 percent are black. About a quarter are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

The system that Rue has been creating uses information the district is already gathering; no additional testing is needed.

“We’ve had all this data for years,” she said. “Now we’re going to share it.”

The consortium was created by state law in 2011, charged to develop “innovative, next-generation learning standards and assessment and accountability systems.”

 

The group’s leaders generally share a skepticism about the validity of the state’s tests and a preference for national tests such as the SAT and ACT. They oppose the use of “one-day, high-stakes” state tests as the most important tool of accountability. They want to use non-test techniques — portfolios, for instance — for aspects of education not easily captured on a multiple-choice exam. And they want much greater local control over how districts define success.

 

Their opponents, including some educators and business leaders, say the state tests are superior to national exams at determining whether students are learning the Texas-mandated curriculum. And that standards not based on tests given statewide are too easily manipulated.

 

A bill passed without opposition by state legislators this session would have granted the 23 districts in the consortium — with about 5 percent of the state’s students — the right to avoid some STAAR tests and the state’s ratings.

 

Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill.

 

“Flexibility and innovation are important, but we will not compromise academic rigor or student outcomes,” Perry wrote in his veto message.

 

What did that leave for the consortium? Several members have been working on developing an alternate accountability system for several years. So they’re going ahead with it even as they comply with state requirements.

 

“We hope to present information to those policymakers that this might be a better way to assess students,” Orr said.

Several North Texas districts are included in the consortium: Coppell, Duncanville, Highland Park, Irving, Lancaster, McKinney, Northwest, Richardson and Prosper.

The idea to be presented Thursday includes two components: one that might be roughly comparable across districts and one that would be intensely local.

The broad standards include checking reading, math and science for elementary and middle school students — but not every year for every grade. STAAR tests might be included. But other assessment tools that already test kids regularly through the school year could be employed.

 For high school students, measures of “postsecondary readiness” could include PSAT, SAT, AP and other national tests that some districts already provide for all students. A fourth category, “postsecondary success,” would use a tracking system that allows districts to follow the college record of graduates.

 

The local standards, created by each district, could include other ways to check on academic success, as well as assessing the effectiveness of career and technical training, measuring student engagement and determining how connected schools are to the community…

 

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Thomas Ratliff sucking up to The League of Women Voters

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Tonight, the League of Women Voters in Marshall, Texas  are holding an informational meeting on CSCOPE. Program Chair, Gail Beil extended an invitation to State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff and Senator Dan Patrick. Dan Patrick can’t make the meeting due to a prior commitment so I called Linda Adler  Linda A.Adler

with the leaque and offered to join the discussion via SKYPE. Ms. Adler did not seem the least bit interested and said it was not on the agenda for me to join in.  Beil will ask Ratliff 8 questions in regard to CSCOPE. I question the  non partisan nature of this meeting being  that the program Chair, Gail Beil is the Aunt to Houston’s lesbian mayor Annise Parker. Ms. Beil   made the following statement in on her facebook post in regard to the mayor “Texans that don’t support her to bigger things are “FOOLS”.  Yes, this is  the Annise Parker that is wanting to follow in the footsteps of San Antonio’s mayor Castro and pass non discrimination laws pushing their liberal agenda to the extreme asking for protection for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals despite a business owners religious views.

 

Update** Gail Beil just called me about my offer to be SKYPE’d into the debate.  As expected she was not interested in me joining the discussion either. The conversation lent me to believe Beil was liberal and the conversation turned south when I asked Ms. Beil ” So you are OK with students drawing a New Communist Flag’? She said “Absolutely, kids are visual and what better way to learn hand and eye coordination“? LOL.. do high school students need to learn hand and eye coordination? I then asked her if she was Annise Parkers Aunt knowing full well she was and when she responed yes I  told her “we have nothing in common and thank you for calling”.

Gail Beil’s Facebook Post Below

 

Gail K Beilmayor parker

What does Gail know about CSCOPE? Why is Texas SBOE member, Thomas Ratliff gallivanting across the state promoting CSCOPE? What is in it for him? $$$$$$ Microsoft money! I don’t think for one minute the League of women voters set up tonight’s meeting with the goal of being non-partisan. America will suffer for the lack of truth.

Marshall Independent School District continues to use CSCOPE  and  take notice of the company Lead4Ward below on Marshall ISD’s curriculum page. One thing I have noticed is within the education industry, it is like ” you scratch my back and I will scratch yours”.  Individuals keep breaking away and starting their own consulting firms and school district buy their services. It is a money pit for Texas Tax Payers. marshall cscope

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“Raise Your Hand’s Bogus Reform”

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“Raise Your Hand’s Bogus Reform”

by Donna Garner

9.18.13

 http://educationviews.org/raise-your-hands-bogus-reform-by-donna-garner-9-18-13/

 Principal Michelle Rice has been the principal of Copeland Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD, Texas, for four years. She has graduated from the REEP (Rice Educational Entrepreneurship Program) which is a scholarship program designed and supported by Raise Your Hand. 

Raise Your Hand is the brainchild of Bill Ratliff (Thomas and Bennett Ratliff’s father, Ratliff Clan has made millions lobbying for Microsoft); Mike Moses (*who makes tens of thousands from his superintendent search firm among other education-related and lucrative sources of income), Charles C. Butt (owner of HEB supermarkets), Susan Kellner (whose husband is CEO of Continental Airlines), and other groupies.

Here are excerpts from Principal Rice’s glowing testimony posted on the REEP/Raise Your Hand website:

 Striving toward a 21st century mindset seemed the most logical next step in the development of my campus…To truly understand this approach, one must have a clear grasp of 21st century skills. It is not simply the idea of technology integration in the classroom. Instead, the 21st century model couples strong academics, the three R’s (reading, writing, and arithmetic) with the four C’s (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) to create a strong educational environment that launches students on a learning quest…http://www.raiseyourhandtexas.org/blog/ryhtreep-partnership-michelle-rice-principal-of-copeland-elementary-explains-her-innovative-plan-for-the-new-school-year/#.UjoDjGSG2K0

 After reading Principal Rice’s glowing account of Copeland Elementary School, I decided to see how well this campus did on the latest Texas Education Agency’s 2013 Accountability Ratings. Surely after Rice’s “fabulous” training with REEP/Raise Your Hand, her school’s scores must be very noteworthy.

 To gather my data, I used the following link on the Texas Education Agency’s website because it contains a composite screen of all of the campuses/districts in Texas along with their latest 2013 accountability ratings:  http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2013/statelist.pdf

 

COPELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOT SUPERIOR AT ALL

 

When I looked under the 2013 Accountability Ratings for Copeland Elementary School

(Cy-Fair ISD), what did I find?  This elementary school contains K-5 students and has an enrollment close to 1,000 students.  Guess how many Distinction awards among 40 like-characteristic campuses Copeland Elementary School received on the 2013 Accountability Ratings…NONE!  That means no Distinction award in English/Language Arts, no Distinction award in Math, and no Distinction award for being in the Top 25%. 

 

 

EXPLANATION OF 2013 ACCOUNTABILITY RATINGS – DISTINCTIONS COLUMNS

 

The three Distinctions columns are indicative of superior performance because they are based upon objective data that rates academic achievement (the primary goal of the public schools.)  The campuses/districts are only compared with their same like-characteristic group of 40.

 

The first column under Distinctions means outstanding academic achievement in English/Language Arts/Reading

 

The second column means outstanding academic achievement in Math

 

The third column means the campus/district was in the Top 25% of schools among the 40 like-comparison group of campuses.

 

REEP/RAISE YOUR HAND NOT TRANSLATING INTO SUPERIOR STUDENTS

 

Principal Rice and Copeland Elementary School may be utilizing REEP/Raise Your Hand’s 21st Century technology integration, but it is obviously not translating into academic achievement for the students.  In truth, that was probably not Rice’s real motive for going through the REEP/Raise Your Hand administrators’ program.  The candidates who graduate from REEP/Raise Your Hand (Mike Moses’ brainchild) are undoubtedly first on his list when he is hired by school districts to help them search for a superintendent.  “The good old boy (or girl) network appears to be alive and well in Texas.” 

 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MIKE MOSES FAMILY

 

*The Dallas Morning News found multiple dubious behavior patterns during Mike Moses’ watch as Dallas ISD superintendent.

 

Allegations have surfaced about out-of-control spending with school credit cards, lost dollars for health plans, abuse of federal e-rate funds, irregular technology vendor contracts, misspent federal bilingual education funds, costly deals with Kinko’s, apparent conflicts of interest involving Voyager Expanded Learning, contributions by computer vendors, questionable bond sales, multiple teacher grievances, eyebrow-raising private consultancies, lucrative Coca-Cola contracts, and special privileges for vendors participating in the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI) conferences.  

 

Mason Moses is the son of Mike Moses and is an employee who is financially tied to CSCOPE/TESCCC/ESC’s.  

 

 

 

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

 

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Texas SBOE Bully gets a Gold Star!

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Texas State Board of Education member Patricia Hardy has no respect for parents concerned about CSCOPE. She tried to belittle and bully parent Kara Sands during last Friday’s SBOE ad hoc committee formed to review the CSCOPE Socials Studies. Ms. Sands had legitimate concerns and in explaining them to the committee Ms. Hardy put her bullying tactics in motion, questioning Ms. Sands at every turn.

You would think someone on the State Board of Education would take the time to honestly listen to parents and what concerns them but that isn’t the case in Texas. Yes we have some great members but we have to progressive RINO’s on the state board that need to go, Pat Hardy and Thomas Ratliff. 

The following is an email Ms. Hardy sent to a Jan Moberley @ ESC 10 in relation to the SBOE meeting.

pat hardy

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CSCOPE Assessments Now Posted on Public Website

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“CSCOPE Assessments Now Posted on Public Website”

by Donna Garner

 

9.6.13

Kate Alexander, liberal and biased reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, has written an article in today’s paper entitled “Activists publish CSCOPE tests online.” I have posted excerpts further on down the page.

 

WHAT KATE “FORGOT” TO MENTION

Kate mentions nothing in this article about the fact that the TESCCC (made up of all 20 Education Service Center directors) was the corporate owner of CSCOPE (and all its parts).  TESCCC announced on May 20, 2013, that TESCCC would cease to exist. 

 

From what has been widely publicized, the TESCCC decided to shut itself down because it was set up originally as a “shell corporation” without the appropriate business mechanisms having been put in place; millions of taxpayers’ dollars are still unaccounted for; and lawsuits may be in the offing because of plagiarism found in the CSCOPE lessons. The Texas State Auditor, John Keel, is presently doing a formal audit of TESCCC/ESC/CSCOPE; and shortly a formal complaint may be filed with the IRS.   

 

The TESCCC directors signed a letter saying that the CSCOPE lessons would be taken off the website on Aug. 31, 2013, when the yearly school contracts expired.  In the same 5.20.13 letter, the TESCCC also announced that the ESC’s would produce and sell no more lesson plans to Texas schools.

 

THOMAS RATLIFF INFLUENCES HIS CRONIES

Then up popped Thomas Ratliff who loudly began advising Texas public school administrators to let their teachers download the CSCOPE lessons and to keep using them anyway.  Ratliff is a registered lobbyist for Microsoft and gets richer each time online technology in Texas schools is utilized.  Because of his obvious conflict of interest, Ratliff is an illegal member of the Texas State Board of Education because of the monetary/business ties that the Texas Education Agency and SBOE have with Microsoft.  

 

Grassroots citizens have generated a petition to have Ratliff impeached by the Texas House  — IMPEACHRATLIFF.COM.

 

CSCOPE IN PUBLIC DOMAIN

At the July 17-19, 2013 Texas State Board of Education meeting, David Anderson, legal counsel for the Texas Education Agency, verbalized his interpretation of this confusing situation, saying that after Aug. 31, 2013, the CSCOPE lessons would become a part of the public domain and could be utilized by any and all.  On 8.22.13, the Texas Tribune published the CSCOPE lessons on their website.

 

However, nothing has been decided legally about the ownership of the CSCOPE assessments. The TESCCC owned the CSCOPE lessons and the accompanying assessments; but since the TESCCC has shut itself down and its contracts with districts have ceased to exist, it seems reasonable to assume that the CSCOPE assessments should be in the public domain also.  

 

MEANWHILE, TESCCC HAS MORPHED

On 8.12.13, the former TESCCC members met as a committee at ESC 13 in Austin and suddenly began calling themselves the Texas Curriculum Management Program Cooperative (TCMPC).  The name CSCOPE has been changed to the TEKS Resource System, and all of the same CSCOPE “parts” are being marketed by the ESC’s except for the CSCOPE lessons (which can now be accessed on the Texas Tribune website).

 

CSCOPE ASSESSMENTS PUBLISHED

This week a few of the CSCOPE assessments have been put into the public domain on a public website with more assessments sure to be published soon.  The question remains, “If TESCCC shut itself down, then who owns the CSCOPE assessments?” 

 

TEXAS TEACHERS SPEAK OUT

Please go to this link to see how Texas teachers feel about the CSCOPE lessons, assessments, and scope and sequence:  http://www.voicesempower.com/voice-of-a-teacher-and-a-student-cscope-assessments/

 

SBOE REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING — CSCOPE SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS

The Texas State Board of Education is supervising the review of the CSCOPE social studies lessons since many schools in Texas have decided to keep using the CSCOPE lessons which are now in the public domain.  The review teams are evaluating whether or not the CSCOPE lessons are aligned with the state-adopted-and-mandated curriculum standards (TEKS) and are free from factual errors.

 

As a part of the SBOE review of the CSCOPE social studies lessons, a public hearing will be held by the SBOE on Sept. 13 at 9:00 A. M. (changed from an earlier start time of 1:00 P. M.)  Here is the link to the information people need who wish to testify at that meeting:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/Communications/CSCOPE/Public_hearing_scheduled_on_CSCOPE/

 

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM – PARENTAL ACCESS

For those school districts that insist on using CSCOPE lessons (or whatever the new name may be), the “elephant in the room” is still parental access 24/7 to the CSCOPE curriculum.  

 

Statute established in the Texas Education Code (TEC) states that the school district must “allow the student to take home any instructional materials used by the student…The parent must be allowed to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent’s child…A school district shall make teaching materials and tests readily available for review by parents.”  (Texas Education Code, Title 2. Public Education, Subtitle E. Students and Parents, Chapter 26. Parental Rights and Responsibilities, Sec. 26.006. Access to Teaching Materials — http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.26.htm#26.004 )

 

Definition of “instructional materials” – The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book, workbook, and supplementary materials, computer software, magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means, including open-source instructional material. (Texas Education Code, Title 2. Public Education, Subtitle F. Curriculum, Programs, and Services, Chapter 31. Instructional Materials, Subchapter A. General Provisions, Sec. 31.002, Definitions, Instructional Material —

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.31.htm )

 

 

As described by an experienced Texas teacher:

 

Hypothetically, if a teacher ‘does’ a CSCOPE lesson, the parent will never be able to see it. It will be played out in the classroom. The only thing that will come home is a graphic organizer with a bunch of empty boxes — no explanation at the top, no content to review…

 

CSCOPE doesn’t provide the content — meaning the informational text for the student. That is why it is so dangerous.  It provides a script for the teacher, which the parent will never see. The teacher is left to scramble for material all over the internet. 

 

When dangerous links in the CSCOPE lessons were made public by concerned citizens, the TESCCC (corporate owner of CSCOPE) pulled those links. This is the big danger of CSCOPE and other online materials.  Links and other content can be taken out or put back in ‘at the click of a mouse’ without parental knowledge.  

 

 

Another expert on CSCOPE has stated:

 

We also need to keep going back to the fact that the TESCCC was never forced to provide actual access for parents  – a requirement of the Texas Education Code. TESCCC skirted by on pledges to create a new website with total access, which turned out to be a sham since parents did not have genuine access to the lessons being used in CLASSROOMS, only samples (as was the case with the original CSCOPE domain)…

 

No access was ever truly granted.  Therefore, the question of access is still a valid one for the courts and should be the primary focus of legal efforts. 

 

For success in court, parents need to seek injunctive relief on the basis of being denied access to the lessons used by both the District and TESCCC. Injury on the basis of ACCESS will give all parents standing. And standing, is what judges care about.  

 

 

============

9.5.13 – “Activists Publish CSCOPE Tests Online” – by Kate Alexander, Austin American-Statesman —http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/activists-publish-cscope-tests-online/nZn59/?icmp=statesman_internallink_textlink_apr2013_statesmanstubtomystatesman_launch

 

Excerpts from this article:

A conservative blogger has published online the questions and answers for social studies tests available to hundreds of Texas school districts because she maintains they reflect a pro-Islam and anti-American bias.

The public release of the tests could render them unusable and is the latest development in an ongoing saga over a curriculum system, formerly known as CSCOPE, that has inflamed conservative and tea party activists over the past year.

Ginger Russell, half of the mother-daughter duo that sparked the CSCOPE controversy, posted the 10 tests on her website —redhotconservative.com — on Wednesday. Russell said she believed that parents needed to see the tests, which had been provided to her by teachers

It will be left up to the school districts whether to continue using the tests, but many teachers and administrators have already expressed concern that the integrity of the assessments had been compromised, said Mason Moses, a spokesman for the state-funded Education Service Centers that developed the assessments.

“We take this very seriously. … This may be just 10 or so now, but there is concern that moving forward it could multiply significantly,” Moses said.

Posting the tests online harms the schools that have found them to be a useful resource, said State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant.

“Clearly, what she’s trying to do is destroy the whole program,” Ratliff said of Russell

 

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

 

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Sen. Patrick vs Ratliff: See Live!

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afp

ONLINE EVENT:

 The controversial lesson plans called CSCOPE will be debated by Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston, and State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff, R-Mt. Pleasant. The two have agreed to square off over the lesson plans used in hundreds of Texas schools.

 

The debate at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 24th, on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler will be broadcast live on www.OnPointBroadcasting.com and we will host a live TwitterFest.

 

Panelists will include the Hudson ISD superintendent and a Grass Roots America leader, JoAnn Fleming. Scott Braddock of Quorum Report will moderate. We at Americans for Prosperity – Texas will be providing commentary on the debate!

 

Event: CSCOPE Debate with Senator Dan Patrick and SBOE member Thomas Ratliff

Website: onpointbroadcasting.com

 

Date: Saturday, August 24th, 2013

Time: 6:30pm

 

Have a twitter account? Use the hashtag #CSCOPE to follow the debate and let us know what you think!

Visit our website throughout the week to keep track of up-to-date News & Views from across the state!

www.americansforprosperity.org/texas

 

mean ratliff

 

Senator Patrick                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Thomas Ratliff

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Microsoft, Thomas Ratliff, CSCOPE/PBL

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IMPEACH RATLIFF

Texas State Board of Education member, Thomas Ratliff is a paid lobbyist for Microsoft. Besides from the fact that is illegal to be a lobbyist and sit on the State Board of Education , Ratliff is promoting and supporting a radical change in Texas education called project based learning (PBL). The nations Common Core standards are based on PBL. Texas is one of 5 states that did not adopt common core, but that that did not stop the “education establishment” from implementing it. The Texas Education Service Centers,  Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas School Superintendents and other education entities have been working at implementing PBL over the last 7 years under a veil of secrecy. Most smaller school districts use it under the name CSCOPE. Though the larger school districts have either created or purchased their own PBL curriculum.

The unveiling of CSCOPE has put Mr. Ratliff is some sorta tail spin. He has been publicly lashing out at taxpayers and citizens that are concerned about CSCOPE and the radical change in education. We have asked Mr. Ratliff he profits from Microsoft or the Public School System due to his lobbying and he has refused to answer. After some research it has been discovered that Microsoft promotes this radical change  of implementing PBL in the school system. Below you will find websites and photos of Microsoft’s support of Project Based Learning. 

Project Based Learning is being facilitated with the use of computers/IPAD’s for all students so they can be globally engaged. Microsoft sponsors Conferences and Summits Worldwide that have to do with Transforming education. The United Nations is behind this transformation. You can read about it here.

Microsoft-Implementing Project Based Learning in your classroom

microsoft 1

Microsoft Partners in Learning

microsoft

 

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TEXAS PUBLIC SERVANT CALLS GRASSROOTS EXTREMIST!!

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Texas State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff  does a great job in supplying blog material for those wanting to expose his liberal agenda. Ratliff sent the following email to Senator Dan Patrick and refers to the grassroot conservatives as “EXTREMIST”. If being a taxpayer/parent that loves Jesus and wants American Exceptionalism taught to Texas Students warrants the title of EXTREMIST, I will wear the title proudly.
 Thomas Ratliff is from the Ratliff clan that has and is still working to tear apart Texas Education. Daddy Ratliff, former Lt. Gov Bill Ratliff, has spent his career working to destroy education for all Texas students and Thomas fits his shoes well. His brother,Bennett Ratliff serves in the Texas House and guess what committee Bennett sits on? Yes the  “EDUCATION” committee. Who would have thunk it!
After I met with the Lt. Governor in January in regard to CSCOPE he promised me he would get with Senator Dan Patrick and have a hearing on CSCOPE. Since the hearing and all the negative publicity CSCOPE has received, Thomas Ratliff has gone off his rocker. Why? Does he profit from this?
Thomas is not a conservative nor is he a republican. He does not care about students in Texas. Thomas Ratliff cares about Thomas. Sad!
From: Thomas Ratliff <thomas@thomasratliff.com>
Date: August 7, 2013, 7:32:43 AM CDT
To: Thomas Ratliff <thomas@thomasratliff.com>
Cc: “dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us” <dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us>, Logan Spence
Subject: True Colors

Cyndi Lauper wrote a song called “True Colors” and it comes to mind when I watch Senator Patrick’s activities regarding CSCOPE.
First he films his “fireside chat” video talking about all of the right-wing issues he wants the Governor to add to the special session call.  It seemed like he spent a disproportionate amount of time on CSCOPE.
Now, according to the post below, he’s having a telephone call with a group of extremists to update them on CSCOPE.  It’s clear that Senator Patrick’s motives are political, not policy.  It’s hard to imagine how he has time to be a state senator and chair the Education Committee when he’s so busy campaigning.
I’m still waiting for you to keep your word Senator.  It’s time to have a POLICY debate on CSCOPE so everyone can see your true colors on this issue.  If you don’t want to have a “mano y mano” debate, simply have an interim hearing of your committee, that way you can sit at the big desk and I’ll sit down with the people you are trying to rule with an iron fist.
If you’re interested, here’s the link to tonight’s call with Senator Patrick.  If it doesn’t re-direct you, you may have to copy and paste it into your browser.
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=5262f67741e3cd6da2cb29fb0&id=adcff06ab1&e=7bcd88ed97

———————-
T. Ratliff
State Board of Education, Vice Chairman
(903) 717-1190
right wind extremist
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THOMAS RATLIFF HAS LOST IT!!

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RINO thomas (1)

TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER THOMAS RATLIFF APPEARS TO HAVE LOST IT. Thomas Ratliff is a RINO and could care less what students are taught or that Great teachers have quit their jobs over CSCOPE. No, Ratliff cares about his progressive liberal agenda and his pocket-book. Ratliff is a paid lobbyist for Microsoft and should not be on the State Board of Education. It is illegal! Does he care? No! He has not respect for the rule of law.

I have never seen such outrage over a controversial textbook or any curriculum as I have with  CSCOPE. Below are remarks by Ratliff in regard to Sen. Patrick as well as parents and taxpayers who are standing up against the progressive takeover of Texas Public Education.

 

Thomas Ratliff has lost it

Ratliff is the “book burner” here. He and his educational cronies have been and are working on removing Text Books and replacing online learning. Would that not benefit a “Microsoft lobbyist”? Link to original article. 

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TX SBOE Member Thomas Ratliff lashing out at CSCOPE Whistleblowers!!

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whisleblower

The Texas Tribune posted an article titled “Dewhurst, Patrick Continue Push to End CSCOPE”. The article is riddled with passionate comments. To no surprise Thomas Ratliff who serves on the Texas State Board of Education chimed in with his rants.

 

ThomasRatliff

THE FOLLOWING IS MY EXCHANGE WITH TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER THOMAS RATLIFF.

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS MAN IS A PUBLIC SERVANT.

recovered ratliff

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Impeach SBOE Member Thomas Ratliff

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IMPEACH RATLIFF

Impeach Thomas Ratliff?

JULY 22, 2013 BY JANICE LEAVE A COMMENT

Do you know that Thomas Ratliff is a lobbyist for Microscoft?

Do you know that according to Sec. 7.103. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP of the SBOE

(c) A person who is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, by virtue of the person’s activities for compensation in or on behalf of a profession, business, or association related to the operation of the board, may not serve as a member of the board or act as the general counsel to the board.

Do you know that the Texas Attorney General has ruled on this and confirmed that Thomas Ratliff is illegally serving as a member of the State Board of Education?

So why is Ratliff still serving as a member of the SBOE?

Because Ratliff knows he has to be impeached to remove him from the SBOE.

Because Ratliff best serves Microsoft, the company he works for and is a lobbyists for by being on the SBOE.

Because the Texas legislatures have to be pushed, prodded, shoved and called and called before they will take a chance on doing their job.

The same reason that CSCOPE has not been removed from Texas Schools as announced by Senator Patrick–because too many legislatures want to be heroes. They want to be the knight riding in to save the day. With the CSCOPE agreement, the illegal company who designed and sold CSCOPE under the protective umbrella of the Texas Education Service Center flag, had no qualms about misleading Senator Patrick during private meetings so that the Senator announced to the world that he cleansed Texas schools of CSCOPE. Sadly the illegal company is still alive and is still producing materials that our Texas children will be taught.

FYI: The illegal CSCOPE company was called TESCCC, but this name has been dropped. Does it matter what the company name is? What matters is that the same group of people in charge of TESCCC is still in charge of the twenty largest Texas Education Agencies. Why?

I digress. But Thomas Ratliff has done everything possible to keep CSCOPE instruction materials in our public schools. Ratliff has stated that he will post the CSCOPE lessons on his on website and make sure that schools in his district have access to them. Why? Has Ratliff reviewed the CSCOPE lessons? I have reviewed many of the CSCOPE lessons. I did testify before the Senate Ed. Committee as well as the SBOE that the CSCOPE lessons need to be removed from our Texas schools. Too many errors, the constructivist (progressive) project based learning has not and will not prepare our children with an education foundation.

Following is valuable information from Donna Garner—

7.22.13

FROM DONNA GARNER — THE LAWS ON IMPEACHMENT IN TEXAS

 

*I have sent this information out in a number of different e-mails to all Texas Legislators, to many elected officials, and to my extensive e-mail list before the 83rd Legislative Session started. Today I have combined these e-mails into one e-mail.

 

According to the Texas Government Code (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/htm/GV.665.htm), the impeachment of Thomas Ratliff, Texas State Board of Education member, must come from the House. If we could get enough people to pressure their legislators, then perhaps the House members would step out and circulate a petition among their members. The TGC is not exactly clear what the House should do if it is still in session. It says how to proceed with impeachment when not in session. However, I feel sure the Governor has lawyers who could help to interpret the TGC to satisfy that piece.

 

As someone has already suggested, the petition might need to come from the grassroots citizens first in order to prove to the House that we are serious. If you have access to some legal counsel, why don’t you see what you can find out?

 

==============

Here is the section that says Thomas Ratliff is ineligible to be on the SBOE because of his being a registered lobbyist who works for Microsoft.

 

=============================

 

THOMAS RATLIFF INELIGIBLE TO SERVE:

 

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/?link=ED

Texas Education Code EDUCATION CODE

TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION

SUBTITLE B. STATE AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE

CHAPTER 7. STATE ORGANIZATION

(Page 38) — Sec. 7.103. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP.

(c) A person who is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, by virtue of the person’s activities for compensation in or on behalf of a profession, business, or association related to the operation of the board, may not serve as a member of the board or act as the general counsel to the board.

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

======================

I also went back to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s original ruling on the matter on 8.12.11:

 

Opinion No. GA-0876

Go to: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/opinions/50abbott/op/2011/htm/ga-0876.htm

Re: Construction of section 7.103(c), Education Code, regarding the eligibility of a registered lobbyist for membership on the State Board of Education (RQ-0948-GA)

Click to access rq0948ga.pdf

Summary: Subsection 7.103(c), Texas Education Code, precludes certain registered lobbyists from serving on the State Board of Education (“Board”). A person who has been retained to communicate directly with the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action in or on behalf of a profession, business, or association on a matter that pertains to or is associated or connected with any of the statutorily enumerated powers or duties of the Board is not eligible to serve on the Board. Thus, a registered lobbyist who has been paid to lobby the legislative or executive branch on a matter relating to Board business is ineligible to serve on the Board. The question of whether any person engaged in lobbying activity is ineligible under subsection 7.103(c) is a fact question that is inappropriate to an attorney general opinion.

 

Absent a mechanism to cure a violation in subsection 7.103(c), we cannot advise that a member of the Board may cure his or her ineligibility under the subsection.

 

[As soon as the TAG issued this ruling, I had two well-known lawyers who immediately called me and explained that the “cure” statement meant that there was nothing Ratliff can do to fix his situation. He is what he is – a registered lobbyist who lobbies the legislature and also whose client(s) do business with the SBOE (e.g., Microsoft).

When Ratliff testified glowingly before the Senate Education Committee on 3.29.11 about SB 6 – HB 6, which he said he just “loves,” he did not bother to mention the fact that he had been a registered lobbyist for Microsoft for 12 years. He introduced himself as a member of the Texas State Board of Education which gave the legislators the distinct impression that he was representing the SBOE at the hearing which he certainly was not. SB 6/HB 6 contained language that transformed the payout of the Permanent School Fund, and Microsoft has derived millions of dollars from these changes. – Donna Garner]

[I find it hard to believe that the Texas Legislatures are so uninformed. How is that I know that Ratliff is a lobbyist for Microsoft and no one on the Senate Education Committee was aware of this? Another interesting question is that no one on the Senate Education Committee knew anything about CSCOPE, which had been in our public schools for six + years and was sold to the schools by state agencies– the 20 Education Service Centers? Janice VanCleave]

====================

In my research, I then found the section in the Texas Government Code (Section 665.001, Impeachment Proceeding, and Section 665.004) that tells how a person who is a member of a “state institution” can be impeached: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/htm/GV.665.htm

 

Donna Garner

Wgarner1@hot.rr.com

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CSCOPE IS NOT GONE..

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CSCOPE IS NOT GONE

Texas State Board of Education Member Thomas Ratliff calls for districts to download CSCOPE lessons. YES, unfortunately we have a RINO sitting on the State Board of Education. He isn’t concerned about the progressive education that is being implemented across the State. He isn’t concerned about    the pro Communist, pro Islamic lessons within CSCOPE. He is more concerned about his job as a full time lobbyist with Microsoft. 

 

CSCOPE IS NOT GONE, contrary to what is being reported in various news articles.  The CSCOPE website itself website itself has given instructions for teachers to download lessons.

save cscope

Curriculum directors at various school districts have sent emails to teachers instructing them to save the lessons such as Curriculum Director Lacey Rainey from Community ISD.

Lacey Rainey

From: (Teacher) Named Removed
Date: Wed, May 29, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Subject: Need to do
To: TEACHERS (NAMES REMOVED)

 

Lacey has asked us to save the C-Scope lessons for her by grade level. The instructions are below. She wants this completed by next Friday :) Let me know when you are done please.

The instructions for saving CScope lessons are as follows:

Sign out of your gmail
login to gmail with:
password:  cisdcurr
select Drive
Select CISD Curriculum Folder
Select your grade level
Select your subject
Upload your lessons
To save your lessons:
go to CSCOPE
select the exemplar lesson
select printer friendly version
a check box appears; everything needs to be checked
select print
open
save to h drive
Texas Education Service Center 10 Director Buddy Echols sent the following to his regional districts.
buddy echols
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