Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Extremists are Using the State to Consciously Manipulate People's Opinions to Both Control and Shrink the Public Mind

Things are heating up at the Texas SBOE. They're wanting to delay decisions until a more conservative board comes in. The basic request is for a first reading this week of the Social Studies TEKS. The fringe groups like the Texas Freedom Caucus diverge from what parents and educators want and know to make for a good education. A first reading will allow the public to then weigh in on the proposed changes in a deliberative, civil manner. 

If you have any question about what Texans really want, read the Charles Butt Foundation Report titled, Connected Through Our Schools where Texans overwhelmingly express the following:

#2 Texans expect and value what public schools do for students, families, and communities.

        • Student opportunities:
          • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (92%) 
          • Self-management, interpersonal skills, and decision-making skills (91%) 
          • Preparation to succeed in the workforce (91%)

    Texans don't want Texans to be ignorant, much less for it to be engineered. Anything short of this is censorship of the kind that fascist, totalitarian governments are fond of doing. 

    That is, these extremists use the state to consciously manipulate people's opinions to control the public mind, that is inclusive of their habits, tastes, and even their memories. This is the antithesis of an expansive, inclusive, and most of all, respectful and representative curriculum.

    When will they learn just how much they harm not just society, but also themselves, as well as their children and grandchildren, by narrowing thought and opinion that propagate small minds?

    We're struggling for inclusion not just for our children, but for theirs, as well. And that's healthy and good for Texas. Below are their numbers where they can be reached. Do consider reaching out to them.

    -Angela Valenzuela

    Connect with your SBOE Representative

    Reach out to your SBOE representative and tell them to do their job by scheduling first reading of the Work Group drafts and complete the TEKS review process in 2022. We encourage you to focus on the starred numbers and your rep. Find your rep here. We will be updating talking points here; the existing ones have not changed so if you are ready now, go ahead and connect! Also, if you have the time, send a note to SBOE Members Davis, Pérez-Díaz, and Bell-Metereau for their unwavering commitment to the process and their prioritization of truth and humanity.

    District

    Name

    Email and Twitter

    Phone

    1

    Georgina Perez

    georgina.perez@tea.texas.gov

    @ginaTXSBOE1

    (915) 261–8663

    2

    Ruben Cortez, Jr.

    rubencortezfortexas@gmail.com

    @RubenforTexas

    (956) 639–9171

    3

    Marisa Perez-Diaz

    marisa.perez@tea.texas.gov

    @Marisa4PubEd

    (512) 422–9019

    4

    Lawrence Allen, Jr.

    sboesupport@tea.texas.gov

    (713) 203–1355

    5

    Rebecca Bell-Metereau

    rebecca.bellmetereau@tea.texas.gov

    @voterebecca

    (512) 665–2157

    6

    Will Hickman

    will.hickman@tea.texas.gov

    (832) 304–0051

    7

    Matt Robinson

    matt.robinson@tea.texas.gov

    @MRDist7SBOE

    (281) 635–1962*

    8

    Audrey Young

    audrey.young@tea.texas.gov

    (936) 569–3150*

    9

    Keven Ellis

    ellisSBOE@gmail.com

    @KevenEllisDC

    (512) 710–7915*

    10

    Tom Maynard

    tom@maynardfortexas.com

    (512) 763–2801

    11

    Patricia Hardy

    pat.hardy.1109@gmail.com

    @pathardy2008

    (817) 732–1786*

    12

    Pam Little

    pam.little@tea.texas.gov

    (972) 342–6697*

    13

    Aicha Davis

    Aicha.Davis@tea.texas.gov

    (469) 340–3643

    14

    Sue Melton-Malone

    smelton51@gmail.com

    (254) 749–0415*

    15

    Jay Johnson

    jay.johnson@tea.texas.gov

    (806) 680–3245*

    Texas education board moves to delay updates to social studies curriculum after conservative pushback

    Opponents of the recommended changes, including Republican legislators, complained that they downplayed Texan and American exceptionalism and didn't present opposing views on the gay rights movement.

    by Brian Lopez | Texas Tribune |  AUG. 30, 2022





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