Absey and Co.

Information may not be reliable

StandardsWork, the organization awarded a $147,000 contract to facilitate the completion of the state’s English curriculum, walked out on teachers during the first day of revisions.
That morning StandardsWork facilitator Sue Pimentel abdicated her responsibility and asked a teacher from the work group to lead the day’s discussion, telling the whole group that it was important for teachers to have ownership of the document. Pimentel praised the work completed to date.

Approval to introduce the teacher suggestions was granted after SBOE members Bob Craig and Mavis Knight, authors of the March 28 motion to reconvene work groups, contacted chair Don McLeroy to insist that teachers be allowed to present their corrections to the proposed Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.
Work on the document proceeded with few snags until the StandardsWork team left mid-afternoon. Several teachers objected and questioned the purpose of continuing to work without the facilitator. After a heated exchange, Associate Commissioner Sharon Jackson beseeched the teachers to continue working while she contacted StandardsWork to request their return.
Teachers worked until 5 p.m., leaving with documents to review before the next day’s session, but the facilitator did not return.

Order your free pin today Send an email to gilgamesh@edtruthnews.com and type in your address and we will send you a free pin.