Save Texas Schools opposes forced state takeover of Texas public schools under Senate Bill 1718

From Save Texas Schools

"The concepts in SB 1718 have been tried in Louisiana and have failed miserably. Their "Recovery School District" has been reorganized three times in 10 years, and is ranked the lowest-performing school district in the state."

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"Dear Save Texas Schools Supporter,

We've written about SB 1718, which would take schools away from communities if they miss state standards for as few as two years. These schools would come under state control and in most cases, would be transitioned to outside charter entities.

Though this bill, as written, would be limited to 10 schools in the first two years, it would ultimately affect hundreds of Texas schools.

Supporters of SB 1718, including Texans for Education Reform (TER) are falsely saying that nothing is done for "failing" schools. This is just not true. Our current system, while not perfect, puts in action a set of agresssive school improvement strategies that, in the vast majority of cases, gets struggling schools back on track within 2-3 years.

While dead a few days ago, SB 1718 may be added into two larger bills that are being considered by conference committees right now: SB 2 (charter school bill) and HB 5 (testing and accountability bill).

We need you to write and call the members of both conference committees TODAY and let them know your opposition to forced state takeover of schools under SB 1718.

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Here is some suggested language:

Dear ______________________,

I am writing in opposition to the creation of the Texas Achievement District under SB 1718. It is my understanding that the legislation may be combined with other bills, including SB2 or HB 5. 

I want to see great schools for ALL kids, and believe that the current system of strong interventions for struggling schools works for the vast majority of schools. 

I am against SB 1718 for these reasons:

1. It forces conversion of local schools into charters with no input from local school boards or communities. 

2. The state is not equipped to take over local schools.

3. Conversion to charters, where the schools have to take all children from a community, have a poor record nationwide.

4. Our current system works for most schools. with schools turning around after 1-3 years. If a school still struggles after 5-6 years of interventions, we allow the state to take action through closure or alternative management.

5. Our testing system is currently under repair. Let's fix that system first before we use it to close schools.

6. Most kids are not trapped in "failing" schools. Under NCLB, any school that has missed AYP requirements for two consecutive years MUST provide transfers and transportation to nearby schools that are meeting standards. Kids do have choices already.

The concepts in SB 1718 have been tried in Louisiana and have failed miserably. Their "Recovery School District" has been reorganized three times in 10 years, and is ranked the lowest-performing school district in the state.

Please keep SB 1718 out of other important legislation that needs to be passed in the closing days of the session.

Sincerely,

______________________

Here is the contact information for conference committee members:

(512) 463-0111

dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0107

robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0128

kel.seliger@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0131

leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0126

tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0104

jimmie.aycock@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0684

joe.deshotel@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0662

larry.gonzales@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0670

dan.huberty@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0520

eddie.rodriguez@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0674

SB 2 (Charters)

jimmie.aycock@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0684

mike.villarreal@House.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0532

marsha.farney@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0309

john.otto@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0570

patricia.harless@house.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0496

dan.patrick@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0107

donna.campbell@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0125

eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0127

royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

 (512) 463-0123

larry.taylor@senate.state.tx.us

(512) 463-0111"

Senator Royce West adds statewide school district language to testing Bill

Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Governmental Relations

"Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas) took the opportunity to add his Achievement School District bill, SB 1718, to Rep. Bennett Ratliff's state assessment reduction bill, HB 2836, after SB 1718 died on a point of order Tuesday night in the House.

HB 2836, which was eventually passed by the Senate, would require state assessments in grades 3-8 to be empirically determined to be valid and reliable by an independent entity. Assessments would be designed so that 85% of students in grades 3-8 could complete the assessment within 180 minutes. The maximum time for the test would be 8 hours and it would be administered in one calendar day. Districts would be limited to two benchmarks per assessment instrument. This limitation would not apply to college preparation assessments, classroom examinations, and benchmarks requested by the parent of a student with special needs. TEA would be required to redesign test security policies to ensure the least amount of disruption of instructional activities at a campus. Finally, the bill calls for an interim committee to study the number and scope of assessments in grades 3-8 and will create a committee to study the TEKS.

Aside from Sen. West's amendment to include ASD language, the Senate amended HB 2836 to exclude students in residential facilities from school accountability measures.

The House will now decide whether to agree with Senate amendments or call for a conference committee to reconcile the different versions of the bill."

Defeated Senate Bill 1718 amended onto high-stakes testing House Bill 2836 in the Texas Senate late Tuesday night

From The Texas Tribune-Click Here

Updated, Tuesday, May 21, 11:17 p.m.:
"After Senate Bill 1718 died in the House, Sen. Royce West, the Dallas Democrat who carried it, amended the measure onto another piece of legislation that passed out of the upper chamber late Tuesday night. To allow West to attach it, Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, expanded the caption to House Bill 2836, a bill reducing high-stakes testing in lower grades. If the House does not concur with the upper chamber's changes on the legislation, it will head to conference committee."

Senate Bill 1718 to privatize neighborhood public schools stopped in the Texas House

Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Governmental Relations

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"On Tuesday, the Texas House considered SB 1718 (West), a bill that would create a statewide school district called an Achievement School District (ASD).

"Under the bill, schools that are low-performing for two years may be seized by the state and assigned to the ASD. The purpose of the ASD is to provide services so that student performance improves, then once that occurs, the school is to be returned to the local school district. The commissioner of education appoints the superintendent for the ASD and may assign TEA staff to support the ASD operations. Funding for the ASD follows the student, according to SB 1718. The ASD gets access to grants and discretionary funding that flow to the prior district as a pro rata share of all such revenue. Finally, because the prior district remains responsible for paying debt service and capital outlay, the prior district receives Instructional Facilities Allotment and Existing Debt Allotment funds for students in the ASD as well as students who remain in the prior district. The ASD is responsible only for routine maintenance and upkeep of the prior district’s facilities that are given over to the ASD for its use.

"Reps. Harold Dutton (D-Houston), Dan Huberty (R-Houston) and Ken King (R-Canadian) fought off a slew of amendments to the bill, which ranged from applying similar rules that public schools must follow to the ASD to requiring school operators under the ASD to meet certain financial and accountability standards.

"The bill was held up on a point of order, and SB 1718 will be dead if the House does not take it up again before the chamber ends its day as Tuesday is the last day the House may consider Senate bills on second reading ..."

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"The proposal by Dallas Democratic Sen. Royce West cleared the Senate May 1 but went down Tuesday night on a House parliamentary error raised by Houston Democratic Rep. Armando Walle." Error kills new district for struggling schools - Associated Press

House Derails Achievement School District Bill

State Takeover of Neighborhood Schools, Handover to Private Operators Defeated

Texas House to vote on Senate Bill 1718 to privatize neighborhood public schools

"The measure by Senator Royce West passed in the Senate on a 26-5 vote." Bad schools would be placed in new statewide district under Senate bill

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From Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Governmental Relations

House to Vote on Bill to Privatize Neighborhood Schools

Urge your representatives to oppose the erosion of local governance of neighborhood public schools NOW!

"House members are set to strip school boards’ ability to govern local school districts by providing mechanisms for private institutions and charter schools to take over neighborhood schools.

SB 1718 creates a new statewide school district with its own superintendent and different rules for governance and management. Public school campuses will be assigned to this “achievement school district” (ASD) when they have been low performing for two years. The independent school district will continue to fund the school, even though it does not govern it. The campus will be returned to the local district if and when performance improves.

This bill violates the principles of public school governance set out in the Texas Education Code. Specifically, the Code states that school trustees have the exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district. Powers and duties not delegated in law to TEA or the State Board of Education are reserved for the trustees of the school district. (Texas Education Code §11.151(b))

The full House will be considering this bill on Tuesday!

Contact the members of the Texas House who represent any part of your school district as well as the Speaker of the House to express opposition to this bill.

Here are some points to be made about SB 1718:

•  School boards are elected by local citizens to make decisions regarding the public schools within the district. This authority should not be assigned to politically-appointed individuals.
• Creation of a statewide school district expands state government and presumes that bureaucrats in Austin know better what local schools need than educators and school boards in local communities. Parents would have to deal with Austin-based officials to convey any concerns about their local ASD school.
• Texas education law provides a variety of tested sanctions for low-performing schools that the commissioner of education can use. Automatic assignment of schools to a state school district is an untested approach that compromises the commissioner’s authority.
• Fundamental changes in the governance of local schools threaten the autonomy of local school districts and officials elected by local citizens."

Contact your representatives NOW and urge them to oppose SB 1718! 

 Contact Speaker Joe Straus.