Williams Reaches Out to Higher Education Leaders

by Reeve Hamilton and Morgan Smith
February 14, 2013
10 Comments

Speaking at the University of Texas System Board of Regents meeting Thursday, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams implored higher education leaders to engage in discussions regarding the state’s high school requirements.

Williams told the regents that a number of bills have been filed in the Legislature that he fears “may erase some of the gains we have made” in Texas public education. Specifically, he worries about eliminating requirements for the current recommended high school graduation plan known as the "4X4," which requires students to complete four years each in math, science, English and social studies.

Williams offered English as ...

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Comments (10)

February 14 @ 12:05 p.m.

Randy Case via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What gains have been made in education under republican leadership?
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February 14 @ 12:26 p.m.

Michael Dobbs via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Whatever!
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February 14 @ 12:58 p.m.

Sheri Isaacson Hicks via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The fact of the matter is that SAT and ACT scores have remained flat for over 30 years despite ever increasing high stakes testing. Furthermore, The drop out rate is very high and poised to get higher if the full effects of the STAAR testing are implemented. There have been a number of bills filed to address this high stakes nonsense that have had zero effect on bring our children up and preparing them for higher education but has had enormous impact on reducing vital critical thinking skills and true educational quality in the state.
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February 14 @ 2:20 p.m.

Terry Bradley via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The party line- to hell with reality.
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February 14 @ 2:29 p.m.

Rick Archer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I think he meant financial gains for corporations like Pearson. Lies and damn lies
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February 14 @ 2:42 p.m.

Susan Syler via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I pray no one listens to him. He is clearly out of touch with what has been going on in public schools, which need to serve well those who may not be college bound - one size does NOT fit all.
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February 14 @ 7:09 p.m.

Phillip Sanders via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Sheri, you are correct. If we continue to require 15 test the drop out rate is going to climb. As of right now our upper lever science classes and math classes are watered down because every kid has to have 4 years of science and math and pass an EOC in each. Those that want to go to college would have a better opportunity to cover more material without all the students that would be taking vocational classes. They would be better prepared for college.
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February 14 @ 8:02 p.m.

Bill Bush via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The tests do not prepare students for college level work and have taken time away from that preparation they actually need. How about letting actual, like, educators develop this policy?
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February 15 @ 5:24 p.m.

Anya Khan

4X4 is better than previous plans for preparing kids for college.

For ALL of you idiots whining because of party line S C R E W you and leave the state. You are worthless
February 19 @ 4:48 p.m.

Michael Hull

No...Anya...you leave. (See what I did there...haha)