The 15% Rule

        Recently there has been a lot of talk about the State passing legislation on a rule that would require the new end of course exams to count for 15% of a students final grade. I found an article in the Texas Tribune that goes into further detail of the current situation of the matter. 

In the article Governor Rick Perry expresses his support of letting the school districts decide on whether they want to enact the 15% rule. Perry supports the legislation filed by Senator Dan Patrick and also asked Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams to defer the passing of the rule until the 2013-2014 school year. 

Within the article it states that the rule was ultimately intended as a sort of scare tactic for students who took the state assessment exam to take it more seriously. It caused widespread confusion amongst school districts on how to apply the rule, and caused reasonable concern from parents on whether it would negatively affect their children's grades. 

I personally think that the effects of the 15% rule could go either way. In one way the rule could positively benefit students who are good test takers giving them more of a academic advantage when it comes to their final grades. Where as students who are not great test takers will experience a drop in their final grade point average which I believe is unfair. I believe that most of the importance of a students grade should come from all of their accumulative work throughout the years and not from a couple tests. However, I believe it is a compromise to leave it up to the school districts on whether they want to enact the rule. 

Blog Stage Six

Recently I read one of my fellow classmates blog, Lone Star Watch, and I agreed with several of their viewpoints on the post "Perry's assault on Planned Parenthood". The following is my comment:

    "I agree with you on that it would be absolutely absurd if Texas were to defund Planned Parenthood if the Federal Government follows through with its plan to no longer fund the program. Though Governor Perry has stated that if the Federal Government refuses to give funding to the program, Texas will then provide the funding, but with the exception of not funding abortions. I agree with your viewpoint that it seems the Texas Government is putting words in women's mouths and take away their freedom of choice and what they want to do with their body."

Texas Voter ID Law

       Recently I read an article in the Texas Capitol Report about the rejection of the Texas Voter Identification law. If such law were passed it would require voters to show photo identification before voting in elections.

I agree with Governor Rick Perry's statement that the law would help ensure more fair and accurate elections. He states, " The Obama administration's claim that it's a burden to present a photo id to vote simply defies common sense." I think the law should be passed as a way to prevent illegal citizens from voting. The right to vote is something that is very important to americans and a right we have fought very hard for through a republican-democrat government. Therefor illegal immigrants shouldn't be given the rights of an American citizen until they become one themselves. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott also agrees with Governor Perry saying, " The Supreme Court of the United States has already upheld voter id laws as a constitutional method of ensuring integrity at the ballot box." He supports Governor Perry's claim to fight for the same right that other states like Georgia and Indiana have enacted in order to protect elections. Abbot stated, " The state will appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, where we are confident we will prevail."

The right to vote is something we as Americans should participate in and take seriously. I think precautions should be enforced in order to protect state and national elections, which in return affects the American people.

Education Budget Cuts

In an editorial from the Burnt Orange Report Ben Sherman talks of the recent drop of Texas students SAT scores since 2011. 

He parallels the drop of scores to the governments 2011 educational budget cuts. He expands of Governor Rick Perry's earlier statistics of test participation rates rising amongst Hispanics and African-Americans. He argues that just because participation rates are increasing doesn't mean test scores are. Sherman states that only 47% of Texas students are graduating prepared for college. He sites that low percentage to the states education budget cuts. Crediting Sherman's beliefs is the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities. They brought attention to recent reports that the Texas state and local funding for Pre-k through 12th is 11.2% lower than those in 2008. I believe the intended audience for this editorial to be parents with kids within the public school system who are concerned with their children's educational future. 

That being said, though I may not be a parent I am concerned about the budget cuts. I can say myself that I was not seemingly well prepared for college and I scored slightly average on my SAT. And with more cuts predicted to come in 2013 I can only see the percentage of well educated students to decline more

Higher Education for Texans

In the commentary article "Perry: Higher Education must be accessible for all Texans", As mentioned in my last post, Governor Rick Perry argues for a four-year tuition freeze so that incoming freshmen tuition rates are locked in throughout their senior year of college. Governor Perry States that due to the soaring number of Texas Students taking the SAT over the past five years it shows that an interest in a college degree is increasing, especially among minority students. Statistics show that there was a 42% increase amongst African American students as well as 65% increase among Hispanic students. Governor Perry believes that with the tuition freeze incoming college students and their families can predict and more accurately plan the cost of completing their college degree. As of now less than 30% of Texas students attending four-year institutions graduate within the four years, with only 58% getting their degree within six years. 

Also in the article Governor Perry argues that a change to state funding must also change. He believes that the state should link a portion of a universities funding to the number of students who graduate. As it exists right now, state funding of universities is based primarily on the number of students who enroll in the a university. Governor Perry's proposal is that 10% of a universities funding will be connected to the number of actually receiving degrees.  Simply put, the less number of students graduating the lesser amount funding received from the state. He hopes that by doing so will in return encourage the universities to do everything possible to help students complete their degrees in a timely manner. Saving both time and money for both the students and the universities. 

Clearly there are improvements to be made, and I personally agree with the Governor. By following this plan, universities will be able to help more and more students have a powerful incentive to finish their degrees and enable them to persue their dreams. Therefore in order to meet the  growing demand for higher education within Texas, universities should give students more affordable options in order to reduce the debt that all college students carry as they start their careers and ultimately the rest of their lives. 

Tuition Freeze

    Recently the Austin Statesman published an article explaining Governor Rick Perry's endorsement of a four-year college tuition "freeze" at state colleges and universities.

    It states that the policy would guarantee a locked in rate that would hold the tuition price steady for four years while the students completes their degree. However if the students education extends longer than four years his/her tuition rate is subject to change to the current tuition price, which is generally higher.

    The general response to the proposal has been overall supportive. The University of Texas in Dallas has such a program and school officials said it has been well received.

    To read the complete article click on the following link. Austin American Statesman