Re: Mandating recess in Texas public schools

Because the topic is simple, there isn't much to dissect. This argument was concise and well done. Danielle's argument for mandating recess in Texas public schools is simple yet logical. I'd have to say I agree completely. Requiring schools to include at least twenty minutes of recreation into the school day should not be questioned. Like Danielle said, recess is an important component to a child's development of social skills; if children are confined indoors, always in the classroom, will greatly decrease opportunities for social interaction with fellow classmates. Yes, even if recess were eliminated from the school day, young students would still be able to interact with classmates.... but recess allows a merge of all students from other classes, allowing children to explore larger groups of peers. Children bore easily, recess is an alleviation of their boredom, a chance to release the energy gathered from sitting down all day.

Texas education to be without the influence of the board?

Four Texas senators have suggested legislation which would strip the State Board of Education of its authority over curriculum and textbooks. The said senators claim the state board has become to politicized and not focusing on the needs of the schoolchildren. These board members have raised eyebrows with some approvals. The board last month approved a science curriculum which introduces creationist objections to evolution's explanation of the origin and progression of life forms. Other parts of the curriculum were carefully worded to raise doubts about global warming and the big-bang theory of how the universe began. When the public's attention is not focused on the science standards, other issues are being scrutinized. Last year, the board rejected a reading curriculum that teachers had spent nearly three years drafting. In its place, the board approved a document that a few members hastily assembled just hours before the vote.

The solution, some say, is to strip the board of its authority to set curricula and approve textbooks. The power would then be transferred to the state education agency, a legislative board or the commissioner of education.

It does seem the children are not longer the focus here- board members are eager to advocate their beliefs through their approvals as members of the Texas Board of Education. But it is best to leave the state's educational issues to the people elected by Texans. If these board members are stripped of their authority, that power will be given to a group of persons who were not elected to make such decisions! It is uncomfortable to think of tranferring the power to decide what will be taught to some uknown faces. While the current board members have made some questionable decisions, it is best to leave the familiar faces the power to decide what the children of Texas should be learning and reading. No, this legislation should not be passed.