Hoping to tackle the long-standing challenge of financing charter school facilities, the State Board of Education is considering taking on a novel and controversial role: landlord. SBOE member David Bradley, R-Beaumont, wants to use $100 million from the $23 billion Permanent School Fund to buy properties and then lease them back to charter schools, which have historically struggled with capital costs. Critics say the elected board can’t possibly fulfill the mandate of the Fund — to invest for maximum return — while at the same time cutting charters a good deal.
David Bradley
Posted in
Public Education
Separation Anxiety
At a public hearing today, the State Board of Education’s social conservative bloc is expected to launch attacks on the church-state “wall” as part of hundreds of changes to the social studies curriculum standards, which could provide the outline for tests and textbooks years into the future. The board expects to take a final vote on the entire curriculum on Friday.
Posted in
Public Education
Lame Ducks Unlimited
Four members of the State Board of Education who are exiting their seats in January are preparing to cast decisive votes this week on controversial curriculum revisions that will alter social studies textbooks for 4.7 million public school children in Texas. But, just maybe, not so fast: Two Republicans who’ll likely win election to the SBOE this fall, and a Democrat who is vying for another soon-to-be-vacated seat, said in interviews that they’d support reopening the standards process if consensus emerged on the newly constituted board.
Posted in
Public Education
The Wild Card
“I was taught evolution, and it didn’t shake my faith in the Almighty whatsoever,” says George Clayton, who pulled off a stunning upset of incumbent Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, R-Dallas, in the GOP primary to win a seat on the State Board of Education. “Should creationism be taught as a counter to evolution? … No, I don’t think so. I think evolution is in the science book. It should be taught as a science.”
Posted in
Higher Education
“We’re Outnumbered”
At Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting, as conservatives had their way with social studies standards, voting to limit the discussion of race and gender issues and to challenge the notion of separation of church and state, Democratic members were left to sulk and seethe — and walk out.
Posted in
Economy
No Experience Necessary
Few members of the State Board of Education have finance expertise. Should we be concerned that they manage the investments of the $23 billion Permanent School Fund?
Posted in
Public Education
2010: Survival of the Fittest?
Even if Cynthia Dunbar doesn’t seek reelection to the State Board of Education, another conservative Republican stands ready to take up the cause.
Posted inState Government
Audio: John Bradley discusses the forensic science commission
Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley, the new chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, says the board doesn’t yet have the rules, staff or resources to be investigating allegations of faulty science in criminal cases — including a high profile arson-murder case that led to a Corsicana man’s execution.