| Council meets to discuss education in Texas |
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| Written by Emily Aberg, The Shorthorn staff | ||||
| Tuesday, 09 October 2007 08:58 PM | ||||
 Diane Patrick, state representative, speaks at the Education summit Tuesday night at the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. Educators from all over the area were gathered to the summit by Patrick for a closer look at the issues on education. (The Shorthoron: Fabiola Salinas) State Rep. Diane Patrick hosted the first Educational Policy Summit for District 94 in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom. The former UTA education professor said she hoped the summit would become an annual event for her constituency members. Patrick said teachers and principals from private, public and charter schools, community colleges and four-year universities were invited, as well as technical institution and local business representatives nominated by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Patrick formed the summit to respond to the request of her constituency, said Chief of Staff Julie Freeman. “It’s a gathering for those who want the best education in the world to be in Texas,” Patrick said. “Those who are here today are invited to be a part of my education advisory team.” All participated in three general sessions and two break-out sessions, wherein participants chose one of three discussion groups to join. Discussion groups focused on topics like English as a second language, student assessment and accountability, learning differences and technology in schools. During the first general session, education Dean Jeanne Gerlach discussed the P-16 Metroplex Council. In Texas, the P-16 collaborative began in 1998 as an informal network called the Public Education and Higher Education Coordinating Group. “P-16” describes an integrated education system that stretches from preschool through a four-year college degree. The council consists of grade school and secondary education district personnel, community college educators, university administrators and faculty, workforce development organizations, business and corporate colleagues, community leaders, parents and other community members with vested interest in education. Gerald Jordan, Bebensee Elementary School fourth-grade writing and math teacher, said hopefully the discussion generated during the summit will affect his classroom and education policy in Austin. Communicating with the state government was as important as tackling issues at home because they can get overlooked when they are simply delegated to the state, Jordan said. One example Jordan gave was bilingual education. “It’s a hard issue that gets ignored because it’s so hard, and no one really knows what to do,” he said. Views: 1139 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 30 October 2007 03:01 PM ) | ||||
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