Texas HB 336 and 337

[Carol Holst <kceh@airmail.net>]

Copied and pasted from Elaine Hampton, who organized the de-taks rally 
last January.
Now what? Guess I'll go mow the lawn...
Carol
***************************
HB 336 and 337 were introduced in this legislative session by 
Representative Dora Olivo. The goal was to use multiple criteria that 
include the childís academic performance, the teacherís evaluation and 
the TAKS test to determine student promotion, retention and graduation 
rather than one single instrument making these important decisions. The 
bills made it through committee hearing and then were added, with 
unanimous approval, as amendments to SB1108 . In the last few days, the 
Education Committee headed by Kent Grusendorf (R, Arlington), who was 
very opposed to our effort, removed the amendments -- they were killed 
in his committee.

We give our warmest thanks and appreciation to Rep. Olivo for her 
untiring effort. The legislation did not pass, but still much was 
accomplished. Dora introduced quality legislation with bipartisan 
authorship. She and her supporters rallied many organizations in the 
state to back this important change. (Those endorsing the legislation 
are listed below.) And, a support network of like-minded people from 
across the state was formed. Thanks to everyone for your support and 
your actions. Maybe next session?

Elaine Hampton

Organizations endorsing Olivo's legislation:
American Association of University Women (AAIW)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Casa del Immigrante (CDI)
Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
Fort Bend Federation of Teachers
Learning Disability Association of Texas (LDAT)
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Mexican American Legislative Council (MALC)
Mexican American Legal Defense in Education Fund (MALDEF)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Association of Social Workers-Texas Chapter (NASW-Texas)
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
Parents, Teachers Association of Texas (PTA-Texas)
Texas Association of Chicano in Higher Education (TACHE)
Texans for Quality Assessment (TQA)
Texas Freedom Network (TFN)
Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA)
United Farm Workers of America (UFWA)