The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise from Seguin, Texas • Page 4

Friday, April 12,1985 The Seguin Gazette-Enterpri Social promotions urged Picking winners MICHELLE REYNOLDS (right) reaches for names during a drawing Saturday at Seguin's K-Mart at E. Court St. while insurance representatives supports reform bill ByJACKKEEVER Associated Press Writer AUSTIN (AP) An education approved by the Senate serves notice that education reform in Texas is "here to stay" even if changes are a "little painful," its sponsor said. The bill dealt gingerly with the controversial no-pass, no-play eligibility rule that has had some parents and students in an uproar by leaving any revision of the rule up to the State Board of Education. Sen.

Carl Parker's bill, which was sent to the House on voice vote Thursday, would shift more money to teacher bonuses and would allow the Board of Education to decide whether teachers should be tested on their specialties, such as math or science. The bill, however, requires the testing of teachers to see if they can read and write well enough to do their job satisfactorily. Parker said that test would "certainly weed out anyone who shouldn't be the classroom If someone cannot function, is not literate enough to pass a basic skills test of this nature, they should not be in the classroom teaching children." Referring to the sweeping public school reform law passed in a special legislative session last summer, Parker told his colleagues: "There have been those who expressed the view that education reform in Texas is in deep trouble, and just as soon as the Legislature had the opportunity, they would dismantle it. I think this serves notice to those who labor under the false, vain hope that education reform is a transitory thing in Texas it's here to stay. "I think this is a firm, strong commitment from the Texas Senate that we're committed to academic excellence even through there are some little painful areas along the way." One of those areas would be the rule that a student who fails any course is ineligible for extracurricular activities, such as sports or band, for six weeks.

The rule has only been in effect for a few months but already there have been stories of entire spring sports squads being virtually wiped out by grades. A story told Thursday was of a star baseball player who had four J'A's," one and a 69 in chemistry, and he had to miss the season. On Thursday, the Senate beat back an amendment 16-11 that would, in effect, call for daily grade checks to determine eligibility. Sen. Kent Caperton, D-Bryan, said (he amendment "represents a significant retreat that we don't fealty care all that much." "Is this the big game amendment?" quipped Sen.

John Traeger, and Caperton replied, "I think so." The sponsor, Sen. Bill Sarpalius, D- Canyon, insisted that his proposal "is jiot a retreat if anything, it makes bill stronger." He said students be immediately ineligible if they flunked a test. Senators rejected 1WJ an amend- jnent that would set a minimum of ibrte weeks for failing a 5ourw. The Parker bill states that 4bt Board of Education "may irovlde" (or a grade reporting period voftau than six weeks. i "Pewonally," said Parker, "week- llo-wwk (grading) wouldn't bother Karl T.

Jonas and Yolanda Gonzales look on. The Cabbage Patch Doll was won by Ronda Richter, while Easter baskets went to Brenda Raderstorf and Rosita Paez. (Staff photo) ByGARTHJONES Associated Prew Writer AUSTIN (AP) Slow learners, who make up maybe one-fifth of Texas' public school population, will be hurt by a proposed rule doing away with social promotions, parents and teachers have told a committee of the State Board of Education. The 15-member state board is scheduled to make an initial decision on the social promotion rule Saturday with a final vote set in June. Harold Massey, executive director of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, told a public hearing Thursday that under the proposed new regulations 40 to 56 percent of the state's students would not receive a regular high school diploma.

"This problem, coupled with an uncompromising stance on participation in extracurricular activities (no-pass, no-play) will result in the greatest political backlash in the history of educational legislation," said Massey. "We need to teach these children, not fail them," said Beth Allen, a teacher in the Rosebud-Lott school east of Temple. "Let's raise the sales tax to 6 percent and educate these youngsters, not fail them," she said. The major public school reform bill passed in last summer's special legislative session prohibited advancement of students by "social promotions," and said students will be promoted only by making passing grades of 70 in each course. However, the suggested new rules wotitd be effective at the beginning of the 198548 school year but school districts could postpone the effective day for one year.

The rules also would allow school districts to provide alternatives for students who are consistently unable to be promoted because of poor achievement. A district may place a student in a higher grade level if the placement does not disrupt or overly complicate instruction for other students. A student may also be placed in a non-graded continuous progress class where he or she receives specially designed instruction that concentrates on English, language arts and mathematics. "We fear that continuous progress classes will become a trap for slow learners," said Lee Alvoid, principal of a junior high school in Carrollton- Farmers Branch. "We think it also will isolate racially different students and minority groups." "These kids need help, they need a place," said Marge Swarz, a parent from Piano.

Gene Stokes, Round Rock principal and president of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, urged the state board to retain social promotions "sparingly." "Many students try their hardest but simply cannot master the necessary skills as quickly as others in their age group," Stokes said. "Provisions should be made to allow these students to be socially promoted." "Under our new regulations, 40 to 45 percent of our students will not receive a regular high school diploma," Massey said. A Little Extra Style (At A Little Lack's Price) Coil Make A Big Difference! Brass and Marble Accent Plant Stand Now any comer cm be special, any room a little mom Interesting, with Lack's braas plated plant stand with the marble top. If a 12-V In diameter, 31 -V high, In the carton and easily assembled. Limited stock.

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"It's tetter to make 68 in advanced jMlctilitf than to take basket-weaving go preserve extracurricular IdteiMUty," Parker said. U. Gov. Bill Hobby caat tbe vote oo another amendment, which Parker labeled ai a "major retreat" in public school reform BT' rWff Maple Mnisn 0esk Hare's1 convenient dask at a vary oomforttble price! Warm mapl. finish, anWqu.

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