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Going to Her Base

February 16, 2012

Texas State Board of Education Chairwoman Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, is trying to lock up her religious-right base in her race for re-election this year. In an email today, the right-wing Houston Area Pastor Council is touting Cargill’s planned speech on March 1 at the Montgomery County Pastor Luncheon:

“The Texas State Board of Education has been in the national media repeatedly in the past several years over our stand for protecting history textbooks from political correctness, teaching both strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian Evolutionary Theory, and now over the assault by allies of Planned Parenthood to undermine Abstinence Based sex education.

Hon. Barbara Cargill is now the SBOE Chairman and one of the courageous conservatives who has withstood intense attacks by anti-religious groups such as Texas Freedom Network, ACLU and others. YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM HER as to why there is such a battle for control over Texas education and what we need to do this year!”

TFN is an “anti-religious group”? That would certainly surprise the clergy leaders who serve on our board as well as the hundreds of others who participate in our Texas Faith Network.

We do, however, oppose the religious right’s use of faith as a political weapon. That’s why we called out Cargill when she declared that there were only “six true conservative Christians” on a State Board of Education in which nearly all of the 15 members are Christians and certainly more than six are “conservative.”

It’s also why we have called out the head of the Houston Area Pastor Council, Dave Welch, when he has said such vile things as this during the State Board of Education’s 2010 debate over an anti-Muslim resolution:

“Once again, my guns are aimed at the pathetic preachers, pitiful pastors and compromised clergy that TFN, AU, ACLU and their ilk trot out as props for their leftist agendas. They disgust me. Their list of ‘nearly 100 religious leaders from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths’ who signed a letter opposing the resolution represents a tiny cadre of liberals who have all rejected the fundamentals of their own faiths…. It was my joy to testify at the hearing and represent the hundreds of ‘real’ pastors around this state we speak for as well as all those who share our values but have not yet suited up for the game.”

We hope the lunch is nice, Ms. Cargill. Please say “hi” to Pastor Welch for us.

Follow the candidates and issues in this year’s State Board of Education elections on TFN’s special SBOE Election Watch page here.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Barbara Cargill, Dave Welch, Houston Area Pastor Council | 2 Comments »

Ed Board Candidate Decries ‘Evolution Agenda’

February 15, 2012

With the Texas State Board of Education set to adopt science textbooks for public schools in 2013, this year’s state board elections are especially important. On Tuesday one state board candidate, Republican Marty Rowley of Amarillo, made it pretty clear that he would be part of the board’s anti-science faction if elected.

Check out the post on his campaign blog titled “The Evolution Agenda in Schools.” Rowley argues that new science curriculum standards adopted by the state board in 2009 got low marks in a recent review from the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute because the board had “the audacity to allow Texas schoolchildren to look at evolution as a theory instead of an indisputable fact”:

“(W)hile I don’t dispute that evolution should be taught to Texas schoolchildren, which our science curriculum apparently adequately does, I believe it is a theory, and nothing more than a theory. And if we want to turn out thinking, analytical Texas graduates, they should be allowed to view evolution in the light of the strengths and weaknesses it possesses. I say, let’s teach scientific theories, including evolution, let them stand on their own merit, and let our students make their own well-reasoned decisions as to what they believe to be the truth.”

Mainstream science long ago debunked creationists’ arguments about phony “weaknesses” of evolution. Even the State Board of Education in 2009 rejected a curriculum requirement that students study so-called “strengths and weaknesses” of evolution. Still, creationists seeded the new science standards with other measures they hope will undermine teaching about evolution.

This year’s state board elections are critical to the future of public education in Texas. All 15 seats, including the one Rowley seeks in West Texas, are up for grabs. Learn about the board districts, candidates and issues on TFN’s SBOE election watch page here.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, evolution, Marty Rowley | 12 Comments »

Texas Science Education Battle in 2013

February 1, 2012

After several years of especially divisive “culture war” battles over what Texas public school students should learn about evolution, history and other subjects, the State Board of Education last week decided that it will adopt new science textbooks for all schools in 2013. The new adoption schedule also has the board approving textbooks for history and social studies in 2014.

The decision to adopt new science and social studies textbooks comes after the board adopted controversial curriculum standards for both in recent years — science in 2009 and social studies in 2010. Independent reports over the past year have given both sets of standards poor marks.

Yesterday, for example, a report from the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute criticized the 2009 science standards in Texas as “riddled with errors,” “sketchy,” “redundant,” and “woefully imbalanced.” Last year a Fordham report called the American history standards adopted in 2010 a “politicized distortion” of American history filled with “misrepresentations at every turn.” And last fall a report for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Social Studies Faculty Collaborative warned that the social studies standards are “ineffective,” “fail to meet the state’s college readiness standards,” and “ignore the principles of sound pedagogy.”

Even so, the board will now ask publishers to submit new textbooks based on those deeply flawed standards. All of this comes after the board last summer adopted online instructional materials for some science courses. Working with our friends at the National Center for Science Education, Texas Citizens for Science and other organizations, we succeeded in keeping off of that adoption list any materials promoting creationism/”intelligent design” and related anti-science arguments.

However, the coming adoption of science and social studies textbooks highlights the importance of State Board of Education elections this year. In fact, all 15 of the state board’s seats are up for grabs in 2012. That means the primary elections this spring and the general election in November will determine whether the board’s far-right creationist bloc controls decisions about which science and social studies textbooks students will use for nearly a decade. (Check out TFN’s SBOE Election Watch page here.)

Based on the state board’s decisions last week, this how the schedule for adopting textbooks and other instructional materials looks going forward (estimated costs for purchasing new materials in parentheses):

  • 2013: Science, Grades K-12; Math, K-8; Technology applications ($625.65 million)
  • 2014: Social studies, K-12; Math, 9-12; Fine Arts ($683.18 million)
  • 2015: Languages other than English ($78.82 million)
  • 2016: Career and technical education ($103.67 million)
  • 2017: English Language Arts and Reading, K-5, Prekindergarten Systems ($536.46 million)
  • 2018: English Language Arts and Reading, 6-12; Health; Physical Education ($663.14 million)

The state board is likely to revise and adopt curriculum standards (on which textbooks and other instructional materials must be based) according to the following schedule:

  • 2012: Math curriculum standards adoption
  • 2013: Fine arts curriculum standards adoption
  • 2014: Languages other than English curriculum standards adoption
  • 2015: Career technology education curriculum standards adoption
  • 2016: English Language Arts and Reading curriculum standards adoption
  • 2017: Science and health/physical education curriculum standards adoptions (Health standards include guidelines on sex education.)
  • 2018: Social studies curriculum standards adoption

So next year the Texas Freedom Network will once again be mobilizing supporters of science education to stop creationists on the state board from dumbing down instruction on evolution in new textbooks and other materials. And you can be sure that we will be leading the fight for sound textbooks and curriculum standards each year afterward.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, creationism, evolution, sex education, social studies | 3 Comments »

Celebrating Mediocrity in Texas?

January 31, 2012

This should tell you a lot about the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the Texas State Board of Education. Last year the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute sharply criticized the state board for its “ideological manipulation,” historical revisionism and contempt for expertise in adopting new social studies curriculum standards for Texas public schools in 2010. Today a new Fordham report gives science curriculum standards adopted by the state board in 2009 a grade of “C.” Yet here’s what state board Chairwoman Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands, had to say about the new Fordham report:

“As a science teacher, I am pleased that our standards received a score of 5 out of 7 for content and rigor. We look forward to continuing to work with Texas teachers to bring the best instruction to the classroom with our excellent science standards.”

Seriously? She celebrates a “C” grade? She really thinks Texas is giving kids the “best instruction” with “excellent science standards” that, in fact, get low marks from a conservative education think-tank? News flash for Ms. Cargill: Most parents don’t think mediocrity is something to celebrate, especially when it comes to the education of their children.

From the Fordham report’s section on Texas:

“Texas has produced a set of science standards with areas of strength—including a particularly well-done sequence for earth and space science—but also with weaknesses that cannot be overlooked. These include a tendency across nearly all disciplines to pay lip service to critical content with vague statements, and, somewhat less often, the presence of material that’s well below grade level.”

While giving the standards decent marks in some areas, Fordham describes other sections with words like “sketchy,” “redundant,” “riddled with errors,” and “woefully imbalanced.” Would you describe such standards as “excellent”? We doubt it, but an ideologue like Cargill does.

Don McLeroy, a former board member who served as chairman during the science curriculum standards adoption, was pleased with Fordham’s remarks about how evolution is covered in the standards. Says McLeroy:

“The report confirms what I have always insisted: that the creationists inserted real scientific rigor into the teaching of evolution.”

Good grief. Fordham actually said “evolution is all but ignored” in standards for primary grades, and discussions on the topic in middle school grades are inaccurate. The report points to one particular misleading section about the evolution of finches:

“Creationists often distort these important findings to argue that Darwinian macroevolution does not occur—instead, microevolution does. In addition, the word ‘evolution’ is never used in any of the middle school standards, and the term “natural selection” is never explained.”

Fordham does give the high school bi0logy of evolution good marks, noting that “there are no concessions to ‘controversies’ or ‘alternative theories.’” But that’s actually despite the efforts of Cargill and McLeroy, who wanted the standards to include phony “weaknesses” of evolution promoted by creationists. Fortunately, TFN and other supporters of science education kept that nonsense out of the standards.

And then this from Fordham:

“(T)he high school biology course is exemplary in its choice and presentation of topics, including its thorough consideration of biological evolution. Even so, the term ‘natural selection’ appears just three times, as does the word ‘evolution’ and its variants. It is hard to see how Texas students will be able to handle this course, given the insufficient foundations offered prior to high school.”

It’s no surprise Fordham found that “natural selection” gets short shrift in the standards — it was one of the core concepts that McLeroy and other creationists on the board specifically tried to weaken in 2009.

Public education is clearly under siege in Texas. The Legislature is cutting billions of dollars in funding for public schools. Thousands of teachers are losing their jobs. And members of the State Board of Education are celebrating mediocrity (or worse) in the curriculum standards they’re adopting.

It’s hard to imagine that voters need more evidence that this year — with all 15 state board seats up for election — will be critical to the future of public education in Texas. Check out TFN’s SBOE Election Watch page here.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Barbara Cargill, creationism, Don McLeroy, evolution, Fordham Institute | 6 Comments »

SBOE Campaign Finance Reports

January 18, 2012

All Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) seats are up for election this year, but so far there’s not a lot of money flowing into those campaigns. Nearly all SBOE candidates have now filed their July 1, 2011-December 31, 2011, campaign finance reports with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Some non-surprises:

  • Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, R-Dallas, is again self-funding her campaign, this time in an effort to retake the District 12 seat she lost to George Clayton, R-Richardson, in 2010. So far Miller has spent about $40,000 of her own money.
  • Former SBOE member Don McLeroy, R-College Station, is spreading around a little cash (some left over from his losing race against Thomas Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, in 2010) among far-right board incumbents Charlie Garza, R-El Paso, of District 1 ($500), Ken Mercer, R-San Antonio, of District 5 ($500), and Gail Lowe, R-Lampasas, of District 14 ($1,801.60). He has also contributed $500 to Randy Stevenson, R-Tyler, who is trying to unseat Ratliff in District 9 and return to the board he left after 1998.
  • Neal Frey, head of the far-right censorship outfit Educational Research Analysts (founded by the late Mel and Norma Gabler of Longview in East Texas), has given $1,000 to Garza, $500 to Mercer, $1,000 to Stevenson, $500 to current board chair Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands (District 6), and $500 to Terri Leo, R-Spring, before the she decided not to run for re-election last fall.

Among the races that are attracting the most money (although totals are relatively modest compared to races for other elections in the state):

District 5: Ken Mercer, R-San Antonio ($15,611.75 in contributions, including $10,ooo from just one donor) vs. Steve Salyer, R-San Antonio ($1,150.00 in contributions plus a $5,000 from himself)

District 6: Donna Bahorich, R-Houston ($325 in contributions plus a $50,000 loan from herself to her campaign); no Republican challenger. None of the three Democrats (Tracy Jensen, Patty Quintana-Nisson and David Scott, all of Houston) has raised more than $1,600 yet.

District 8: Barbara Cargill, R-The Woodlands ($38,586.84 in contributions, $18,710.93 in expenditures, $25,626.25 in cash on hand) has raised a healthy chunk of change, but she also spent more than $12,000 (at least) on a fundraising event at a fancy country club in The Woodlands. Her Republican opponent, Linda Ellis of The Woodlands, has spent $7,019.40 so far.

District 9: Incumbent Thomas Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, has raised $17,413.15 in his race against challenger Randy Stevenson, R-Tyler, who has raised $5,225, including $1,100 from his own pocket.

District 12: Incumbent George Clayton, R-Richardson, ($3,921.42 in expenditures) is trying to fend off challenges from three other Republicans: “Tincy” Miller ($41,015.65 in expenditures, mostly her own money); Pam Little, R-Fairview ($8,324 in expenditures and loans from herself of $21,500); and Gail Spulock, R-Richardson (no report posted yet).

District 15: Incumbent Bob Craig, R-Lubbock, is not seeking election. Marty Rowley, R-Amarillo ($5,614.59 in expenditures and $10,000 in loans, combined, from himself and his wife) is running against Anette Carlisle, R-Amarillio, ($23,998.19 in expenditures) in the Republican primary. Steven Schafersman, D-Midland, is the only Democrat running.

Check our SBOE Election Watch page here for a list of candidates and other info.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Anette Carlisle, Barbara Cargill, Charlie Garza, David Scott, Don McLeroy, Donna Bahorich, Gail Lowe, Gail Spurlock, George Clayton, Ken Mercer, Linda Ellis, Marty Rowley, Neal Frey, Pam Little, Patty Quintana-Nilsson, Randy Stevenson, Steve Salyer, Steven Schafersman, Thomas Ratliff, Tincy Miller | Leave a Comment »

SBOE Candidate: Dexter Smith

January 9, 2012

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Dexter Smith, District 7, D-Friendswood
(Current District 7 Board Member: David Bradley, R-Beaumont)

On Dec. 12, educator Dexter Smith filed to run as a Democrat in SBOE Dist. 7. The seat is currently held by David Bradley, R-Beaumont, who is running for reelection. Smith’s website is dextersmith4sboe.com.

My name is Dexter Smith. I am a father of four. My wife’s name is Toya and we have been married for 18 years. Our oldest child currently attends Texas Tech University and her younger siblings attend Clear Brook High in Clear Creek ISD.

Education
I am a graduate of La Marque High School. After graduation I attended Lamar University on a track and field scholarship. In 2001 I graduated from University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in History. In December 2010 I graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Elementary Education. Currently I am enrolled in the Region IV principal certification program.

Professional
This school year will be my 11th year at Mainland Preparatory Academy. The majority of my time has been spent serving as the 3rd and 4th grade social studies teacher. I also serve in various capacities on campus that include Chair of the Social Studies Department, Chair of the Red Ribbon Committee, member of Campus Improvement Team and Student Council Sponsor. I’ve enjoyed the challenges and success of working with students over the years. I desire to sit of the State Board of Education District 7 because the decisions to inject political and personal values have become a distraction. It is time for educators to lead our schools on their mission of educating students. Professional educators are best qualified to create schools the students of Texas deserve and prepare them for life post-graduation.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Dexter Smith | 5 Comments »

Barbara Cargill Shades the Truth Again

January 6, 2012

Barbara Cargill, chair of the Texas State Board of Education, wasn’t honest with her audience at a candidate forum in Conroe (north of Houston) last night. Speaking at the forum (which was hosted by the Montgomery County Eagle Forum), Cargill claimed that she and other board members didn’t push through substantial last-minute changes, over the objections of teachers and curriculum specialists, to new language arts standards the board adopted in 2008. From the Magnolia News:

It is “absolutely false” that curriculum changes were snuck into the standards; the SBOE was “bogged down” and it was recommended the board bring in a facilitator to help with the process, which is what happened, Cargill said. Six months later, the curriculum changes were completed, she said.

“We listen to our teachers and parents and business leaders,” Cargill said of the SBOE.

But objective observers know that’s not true. Here’s how the Associated Press explained what happened at that notorious final state board meeting on the revised language arts standards in May 2008:

The State Board of Education’s debate on new English and reading standards took another turn Friday as members approved a never-before-seen version of the lengthy document that materialized less than an hour before the board was to take a final vote.

After a terse debate on the new curriculum, the board voted 9-6 in favor of the new version, which will remain in place for the next decade and sets standards for state tests and textbooks, as well as classroom teaching.

Experts and teachers have been working on the new curriculum standards for 21/2 years.

“I find it’s really wild that we can work for three years on a project and then the board is so qualified they can pull it out of their hat overnight,” said board member Pat Hardy, a Fort Worth Republican who, like other board members, received the substituted document when it was slipped under her hotel room door less than an hour before their meeting was set to convene Friday morning.

Some members of the board prepared the latest version overnight.

“I’m appalled by the process that we’ve taken part in,” said board member Bob Craig, a Republican from Lubbock. There’s been “no opportunity to review it, no teacher group is involved, not even the (Texas Education Agency) staff was involved or had seen it.”

(more…)

Posted in Barbara Cargill, 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Linda Ellis | 4 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: Carlos “Charlie” Garza

December 22, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Carlos “Charlie” Garza, District 1, R-El Paso
(Incumbent)

On Dec. 12, District 1 incumbent Carlos “Charlie” Garza filed to run for re-election. Garza was first elected to the board when he defeated Democratic incumbent Rene Nuñez in 2010. Garza’s website is carloscharliegarza.com.

Education changes lives! I know this first hand as a migrant farm worker of extreme poverty with illiterate first generation Hispanic parents. Texas public schools provided me the requisite skills to pursue doctoral studies at The George Washington University a premier tier I institution. As an educator and leader I serve the children and community. My goal is to remove obstacles that research suggests harm children of poverty, who are language deficient and are struggling to succeed academically. My goal is to instill in our children how great America is and all we have to do is work hard, believe, dream and then we will achieve.

As an SBOE member I have maintained an open door policy, been a responsive servant leader, who is visible and active in school and community events. SBOE’s goal should be simple “to organize and lead schools so all children are able to perform at the highest levels possible.” This is our greatest commandment. I enjoy engaging in conversations with parents about how to improve learning and the learning enviroment for students.

(more…)

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Charlie Garza | 3 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: Ruben Cortez Jr.

December 22, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Ruben Cortez, Jr., District 2, D-Brownsville
(Current District 2 Board Member: Mary Helen Berlanga, D-Corpus Christi)

On Dec. 2, former Brownsville Independent School District trustee Ruben Cortez, Jr., filed his candidacy for the District 2. The District 2 seat is currently held by Mary Helen Berlanga, but she has announced she will not seek re-election. Cortez’s website is rubencortezjr.com.

Ruben Cortez, Jr. formally declared his candidacy for State Board of Education today, filing for the position of State Board of Education, District 2.

Cortez, a former trustee of the Brownsville Independent School District, is a strong advocate for keeping politics out of the classroom and providing all children their fundamental right to receive a quality education.

“When it comes to educating our children we can not compromise on their future. The best way to ensure our children’s future and prosperity is through education,” said Cortez, “Education is priority one.”

“The complexity of education begins with the criteria approved by the State Board of Education when determining the standards and curriculum for our school systems,” Cortez continued. “I believe in a common sense approach. We must keep politics out of the classroom and this includes textbooks. I will stand strong against those who would rather see politics dictate the educational standards and curriculum of the State of Texas. I am prepared to take the fight to those who oppose impartial oversight,” affirmed Cortez.

“I firmly believe public education must serve all children and we, as a society, must recognize the benefits public education gives back to society. With diminishing funding for education we will see “At Risk” children fall through the bureaucratic cracks, further erosion in the graduation rate—Texas ranks 43rd in the country. The educational resources required to meet the demands of special needs children will become a casualty of recent educational budget cuts,” stated Cortez.

(more…)

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Ruben Cortez Jr | 3 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: Traci Jensen

December 21, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Traci Jensen, District 6, D-Houston
(Current District 6 Board Member: Terri Leo, R-Spring)

Traci Jensen is a former classroom teacher who has also taught at the University of Houston. Current District 6 board member Terri Leo is not seeking re-election to her seat. Jensen’s website is jensen4stateboard.com. The following is from the “Platform” section of her website:

We have a unique opportunity this election to shift this board’s negative culture. I would listen to real scientists, true historians, and current educators. Parents and community leaders from all backgrounds understand the broader educational goals of public education and need to be heard. Texas needs a balanced board that understands the real world and the wonderfully diverse population it serves. I am an educator that understands the complexities of teaching. As we sit here 60% of our student population is considered economically disadvantaged. The research shows that although a good teacher is a piece of the puzzle, poverty, quality of home life, the influence of community and a strong relevant curriculum plays a vital role in the overall success of any student.

If elected, I would give more weight to the College and Career Readiness Standards so that all students are given the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills beginning in Kindergarten. In our urban and our rural schools the current flawed curriculum alone is simply not enough to compete in a global community.

If elected, I would put an end to the culture wars perpetuated by the current board. I would focus on what is best for all of Texas’ children by supporting our teachers and believing in our public schools. We need to put integrity back in the board and honor our promises. Vote the board into a new direction!

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Traci Jensen | 33 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: Tom Maynard

December 21, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Tom Maynard, District 12, R-Florence
(Current District 10 Board Member: Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown)

Tom Maynard, executive director of the Texas Future Farmers of America and a former Florence school board member, announced via press release (h/t Quorum Report) on Dec. 14 that he intends to seek the District 12 seat. Current District 12 board member Marsha Farney will not run for reelection and is instead running for the Texas House of Representatives. Maynard’s website is maynardfortexas.com.

Tom Maynard announced today that he has filed in the Republican Primary for the State Board of Education District 10, which is being vacated by Marsha Farney.

“I will bring my experience as a parent, taxpayer, teacher, school board trustee and non-­‐profit executive to the State Board of Education,” said Maynard. “I will fight for local control of education, respect the role of parents and families, demand fiscal accountability and efficiency, and defend our conservative values.”
(more…)

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Tom Maynard | 5 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: Donna Bahorich

December 16, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

Donna Bahorich, District 6, R-Houston
(Current District 6 Board Member: Terri Leo, R-Spring)

Donna Bahorich is seeking the SBOE District 6 seat that is currently held by Terri Leo, R-Spring. Leo is not seeking re-election. The following is from Bahorich’s campaign website. You can see an updated list of SBOE candidates here.

Donna Bahorich has a demonstrated record of success in business, education and political activism. It is her experience and history of success in each of these areas that makes Donna uniquely qualified to serve as your next member on the Texas State Board of Education.

After graduating from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science degree in Financial Management, Donna began a career in the telecommunications industry, first at Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company and then at Mountain Bell, where she rose through the ranks, earning recognition and promotions for her performance. During her professional career Donna negotiated multi-million dollar contracts, led the development of software programs to track expenditures of over $700 million and gained experience in the forecasting and monitoring of a $40 million corporate budget. Her performance earned her a place in the top 5 of 317 managers at Mountain Bell. Donna left Mountain Bell to raise a family with her husband Mike.

In 1990, Donna earned a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University before founding Home Ed Plus, now a non-profit organization offering supplemental classes for homeschool families. During its 14-year history, she has served as the founder, administrator, and board member.

Donna Bahorich plunged wholeheartedly into political volunteerism in 2004 with her work for the Harris County Republican Party (HCRP). Soon after she began, Donna was asked to head the volunteer effort required each day to support the GOP headquarters. She was proud to be a member of the 2004 Mighty Texas Strike Force deployed to Columbus, Ohio to secure a Republican victory.

Read the rest here.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Donna Bahorich | 7 Comments »

SBOE Candidate: David Scott

December 16, 2011

Because of redistricting, all 15 seats on the Texas State Board of Education will be up for grabs in the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections will determine whether the religious right’s corrosive influence over public education will weaken or grow as the board considers what the next generation of public school students in Texas will learn about sex education, social studies, science and other subjects. We plan to publish on TFN Insider candidate announcements for a seat on the SBOE. We will publish announcements in no particular order, and their publication does not constitute any sort of endorsement by TFN. We will redact requests for contributions or mentions of fundraising events from the announcements, but we will provide links to the candidates’ websites (if available).

David Scott, District 6, D-Houston
(Current District 6 Board Member: Terri Leo, R-Spring)

David Scott is seeking the SBOE District 6 seat that is currently held by Terri Leo, R-Spring. Leo is not seeking re-election. The following is from Scott’s campaign website. You can see an updated list of SBOE candidates here.

My name is David Scott, and I’m running to be your District 6 representative on the Texas State Board of Education. Here are some of the things you will get if you elect me:

* Someone that believes in educating the whole child, mind and body.

* Someone that believes that textbooks (especially in history and science) should have facts, not a political or religious agenda.

* Someone who believes that our teachers and students spend too much time preparing for standardized tests, rather than teaching and learning.

* Someone who believes in fairness in school funding.

* Someone with kids in the public school system, who takes the future of Texas education personally.

Please take some time and read my platform. I encourage you to contact me with concerns and questions.

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, David Scott | 4 Comments »

One Member of the Far-Right SBOE Slate

December 16, 2011

As we look at the candidates who have filed, so far, for the Texas State Board of Education, we see some indications of who will be part of the far-right candidate slate. Gail Spurlock, R-Richardson, a candidate in the crowded District 12 race, appears to be one. (Click here for a listing of candidates in SBOE races.)

The Tea Party activist’s announcement notes her membership in the Golden Corridor Republican Women’s Club in North Texas. As we reported last month, the Golden Corridor club has already tried to make the private life of one of Spurlock’s opponents, incumbent George Clayton, R-Richardson, an issue. Clayton responded to the whisper campaign by acknowledging publicly that he is gay.

In addition, posts on what appears to be Spurlock’s blog, Backyard Fence, reveal an obsession with right-wing paranoia and fringe politics. One Spurlock blog post, for example, claims that “liberals” have “been in control of education for nearly a century” and that “liberals insist the American people are stupid”:

“Then, there is the issue of evolution. If they believe in survival of the fittest as the means to perfect humanity, why are they aborting people right and left? Why do they have so few children if they think their genes are superior? Why on earth do they spend so much time trying to build self esteem in the less able by pretending everyone has equal ability when that is the antithesis of their beliefs?”

(more…)

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Gail Spurlock, Golden Corridor Republican Women | 3 Comments »

More Texas SBOE Candidate Filings

December 16, 2011

We’ve seen a flurry of additional candidate filings for Texas State Board of Education races over the last few days. We don’t yet have announcements or campaign websites for all of these candidates, but we wanted to list their names here. We have included other candidates who filed earlier but for whom we also don’t yet have formal announcements. You can find posts about those other SBOE candidates here.

TFN’s SBOE election watch page includes a full listing of candidates who have filed, including (when available) links to their campaign websites: tfn.org/SBOE2012. (If you have information about a candidate’s announcement and/or campaign website, please click here to let us know.)

The candidate filing period ends on Monday.

SBOE District 1
Carlos “Charlie” Garza, R-El Paso (incumbent)
Andres Muro, D-El Paso

SBOE District 2 (Current board member: Mary Helen Berlanga, D-Corpus Christi; not seeking re-election)
Veronica Anzaldua, R-McAllen
Trinita Graham Coretta, D-Corpus Christi
Ruben Cortez Jr., D-Brownsville
Celeste Zepeda Sanchez, D-San Benito

SBOE District 4
Lawrence Allen Jr., D-Fresno (incumbent)

SBOE District 5 (Current board member: Ken Mercer, R-San Antonio)
Rebecca Bell-Metereau, D-San Marcos

SBOE District 6 (Current board member: Terri Leo, R-Spring; not seeking re-election)
David Scott, D-Houston
Traci Jensen, D-Houston

SBOE District 7 (Current board member: David Bradley, R-BeaumontBuna)
Dexter Smith, D-Friendswood

SBOE District 10 (Current board member: Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown; not seeking re-election)
Tom Maynard, R-Florence

SBOE District 12 (Current board member: George Clayton, R-Richardson)
Lois Parrott, D-Richardson

SBOE District 13
Mavis Knight, D-Dallas (incumbent)

SBOE District 14
Gail Lowe, R-Lampasas (incumbent)

Posted in 2012 Texas SBOE elections, Andres Muro, David Scott, Dexter Smith, Lois Parrott, Traci Jensen, Trinita Graham Coretta, Veronica Anzaldua | Leave a Comment »

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