Thousands rally to 'save Texas schools'

[TexasTowelie]

Organizers of a rally aimed at addressing school funding and standardized tests estimated that more than 10,000 people from across the state gathered Saturday to “save Texas schools.”

The group spanned the length of Congress Avenue during a march that ended at the Capitol, where a series of speakers including former Texas commissioner of education Robert Scott and State Sen. Kirk Watson urged lawmakers to put more money toward public schools and criticized state assesment tests.

“The Texas school system isn’t adequate, it isn’t fair, it isn’t even constitutional,” Watson said.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/scores-rally-at-capitol-over-school-funding-tests/nWX5s/

AUSTIN — Thousands have organized to rally at the Capitol Saturday in favor of restoring funding cuts to public education, minimizing the importance of standardized tests and improving the overall quality of public schools.

The rally began with protesters marching down Congress Avenue and culminates with an assembly on the south lawn of the Capitol. Education reform advocates including former United States Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch and former Texas Education Agency Chairman Robert Scott.

Large groups from San Antonio are making the trip including Edgewood, Northside, Northeast and San Antonio ISD's, as well as groups organized by state Rep. Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio.

“This rally is about saying (to the Legislature): 'You made a mistake, let's fix it and move on',” Villarreal said in a Friday interview. “Fixing it means restoring the cuts and lowering the emphasis on standardized tests because it is zapping the spirit of the classroom and taking educators' time away from our teaching our kids,” he said.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/local_news/article/Thousands-rally-to-save-Texas-schools-4302790.php .

[font color=green]The Austin American-Statesman article also mentions Arlene Wohlgemuth, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s executive director advocated for “school choice” in the state’s education system, such as private school scholarships and allowing parents to transfer their children more easily among public schools. If my memory serves me correctly, Wohlgemuth was the legislator that literally killed numerous bills in the Legislature back in the 90's by filing points of order in the Calendars Committee.

I know that a number of people are still pissed off about that.[/font]

[susanr516]

1. Yep, the "Memorial Day massacre"

She got po'd because one of her bills got killed, so she killed pretty much every other bill that hadn't yet been passed. Even the Rs hated her guts for that little stunt. She was named one of the "Ten Worst Legislators" by Texas Monthly that session, iirc.