Do you know a business or organization that allows employees to be actively involved with their children’s public schools? Do their employees attend parent-teacher conferences or volunteer in the schools? read more

November 12-15, 2019 -  Complete November agenda (PDF, 11 MB) - LIvestream  Note:  Tuesday, November 12, 2019  1 p.m. - Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund Work Session (Room 1-104) (This committee meeting has been cancelled.) read more

"We will be passing this," said Pat Hardy, a Republican on the Texas State Board of Education.  After years of bitter debate over whether ethnic studies courses are racially divisive, the Texas State Board of Education appears poised to approve its first African American studies course next year.  The 15-member board, which is responsible for setting curriculum standards and adopting textbooks for Texas public schools, heard from dozens of students, educators and advocates at a public hearing Wednesday, most who favored the new course. view article

Texas State Board of Education chairwoman Donna Bahorich, who represents part of Harris County, announced Friday she will not seek reelection in 2020 as the District 6 representative. “I have 8 years of service on the board,” Bahorich said. “I feel like I’ve given it quite a bit of work.” view article

Another open seat. Texas State Board of Education chairwoman Donna Bahorich, who represents part of Harris County, announced Friday she will not seek reelection in 2020 as the District 6 representative. “I have 8 years of service on the board,” Bahorich said. “I feel like I’ve given it quite a bit of work.” view article

Crowded into a science classroom in her Texarkana middle school, Parker Ellyn Madlock and her seventh-grade classmates watched as their sex education teacher held up two Butterfinger candy bars.  Then the teacher unwrapped one and took a bite, asking the students which one they would pick if they were offered a choice between the two. None of her female classmates — boys were in a separate room— said they would eat the half-eaten candy bar, recalls Madlock, now 20.  “It felt like that was saying ‘If you have sex now or anytime soon, no one’s gonna want you,” said Madlock, a sophomore at Ouachita Baptist University. “Wait until you’re married, girls, or else.” State board-appointed content advisers drafted their own recommendations in August. The recommendations don’t change the abstinence policy. But they do request instruction around contraception be modified — by telling students more directly about the risks and failures associated with birth control. view article

LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) – Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Dr. Kevin Ellis of Lufkin to chair the State Board of Education for the next two years, according to a release from his office on Monday. Ellis is the District 9 representative on the board and was elected to a four-year term back in 2016. He served on the Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees as their president from 2015-2016.  LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) – Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Dr. Kevin Ellis of Lufkin to chair the State Board of Education for the next two years, according to a release from his office on Monday. view article

Dr. Keven Ellis appointed chair of the State Board of Education

September 1706:05 AM

 

Gov. Greg Abbott today appointed Lufkin chiropractor Dr. Keven Ellis chair of the State Board of Education (SBOE).   Although the members of the board are elected, the governor appoints the chair from among the 15 board members. The appointment must be confirmed by the Texas Senate.  “It’s an honor to be given this position of trust,” Ellis said. “The State Board of Education plays a key role in our state’s public education system. It sets the curriculum standards, adopts instructional materials, and oversees the country’s largest educational endowment, just  to name a few of our responsibilities. I pledge to work with all members and lead the board in a bipartisan fashion as has my predecessor Donna Bahorich.” view article

Texas may change how your child understands biology when taught in a public high school classroom. The Texas' Board of Education tentatively approved changes to portions of the states Biology curriculum. Instead of asking Texas public school students to “evaluate” scientific explanations for the origins of DNA and the complexity of certain cells, the state will now ask that the students "examine" the scientific explanations for the origins of DNA and complexity of certain cells. In the past, some educators have argued that the word "evaluate" encouraged students to challenge the scientific theory of evolution and opened the door to teaching creationism. view article

The Georgetown Board of Trustees has hired Fred Brent as the district's newest superintendent. view article