Ratliff says response to CSCOPE hearing underwhelming

Date Posted: 9/11/2013 | Author: Jennifer Mitchell, CAE
The public tiff between Sen. Dan Patrick (R–Houston) and State Board of Education (SBOE) member Thomas Ratliff over the use of CSCOPE continued this week when Ratliff announced that public response to an SBOE hearing on the subject was far from overwhelming. CSCOPE is an online curriculum management tool used by many Texas public schools. Patrick lead an effort to cease production of CSCOPE lessons and is using the issue to drum up attention prior to election season. Patrick's Senate Bill (SB) 1406, approved during the last legislative session, requires SBOE to conduct the same review process for CSCOPE as it does for other instructional materials. That process includes a public hearing, which will take place this Friday, Sept. 13. In his "Cry Wolf" press release, Ratliff states, "Given all of the legislative attention, outrageous claims, and heated rhetoric, you might assume that hundreds, or even thousands, of concerned parents would come to Austin to testify about this 'controversial' curriculum. As of the filing deadline yesterday, there were a grand total of eight people signed up to testify, and not all of them are opposed to CSCOPE lessons." Patrick has yet to respond. Teach the Vote will be on hand for the hearing. Stay tuned for updates.
CONVERSATION
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

04/02/2025
House Public Education Committee postpones vote on school finance, vouchers to Thursday
Educators have additional time to use ATPE’s Advocacy Central to share their thoughts on these critical issues.

04/02/2025
Senate Education K-16 Committee hearing goes late into the night
ATPE weighed in on several bills heard during the committee’s April 1 hearing.

04/02/2025
ATPE testifies in opposition to payroll deduction bill in Senate hearing
Watch testimony from Dr. Shannon Holmes, Past State President Jayne Serna, and member Lena Angel.