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Sunday, November 24, 2013

Invited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African Americans | Cloaking Inequity

Invited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African Americans | Cloaking Inequity:

Invited Testimony: Same Shift, Different Day for Latinos and African Americans

Photo Credit: Anita Quintanilla
Will the tracking of Latinos and African Americans into “practical” careers redouble? Will politicians and districts pass it off as “choice”? Morgan Smith from the Texas Tribune wrote:
Only high school students who pursue an honors plan or a diploma specializing in math and science will have to take algebra II under recommendations that the Texas State Board of Education preliminarily approved Thursday.
Despite an initial proposal that had included the advanced math course in all five new diploma plans, the 15-member board was nearly unanimous in its decision Thursday. The single no vote came from Martha Dominguez, D-El Paso…
 An unexpected visit from House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, and Senate Education Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Both lawmakers urged the board to reserve as much flexibility for local school districts as possible — and not to require algebra II to fulfill all of the graduation plans.
The new law came with the support of many educators, parents and a coalition of business leaders who