The Texas legislative session now underway will be a challenging one for those of us who are involved with public education policy.  Over the past year a chorus of complaints about the school accountability system has reached tsunami proportions.  Much of the firestorm is based on misinformation and paranoia, as many of us have attempted to explain in our presentations around the state.  In 2009 Texas adopted a public school accountability system that, when fully implemented, will be the strongest in the nation according to national experts.  For the first time, a Texas high school diploma will mean that the student who receives one will be ready for both college and a meaningful 21st century career, without the need for remediation.  For more information on this debate and how you can help, visit www.texaseducationreform.org and join the effort to resist the rollback of meaningful standards and expectations for our students and our educators.

Meanwhile, if you have not done so, I hope you will visit the Texas Pilgrim archives, the subject index, and  search capabilities.  And, if you are so inclined, please register on the site to submit your comments.  I welcome your feedback.  Thank you.

Jim Windham

Publisher