|
|
Friday, July 30, 2010 |
Serving Seguin and Guadalupe County since 1888
|
|
|
Marketplace
Sections
Services
Service Center
|
|
 |
|
Kuempel eyes the issues ahead for Legislature
Published January 3, 2007
AUSTIN — The future of the TAKS test and the availability of water will be some of the top issues state legislators will tackle during the upcoming session, a local lawmaker said on Tuesday.
State Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, said education, prisons and how to best manage the state’s water resources should dominate the agenda when the legislature goes back into session Tuesday.
Kuempel, who is starting his 24th year in the Texas House, said the TAKS — known as the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills — is sure to come under the scrutiny of lawmakers this year.
Students in grades 3-11 are required to take the state-mandated skills test each year. TAKS covers a variety of subjects, including reading, writing, math, social studies and science.
In certain grades, students are required to pass specific subject areas in order to advance to the next grade level. In order to graduate, students must pass the 11th-grade version of TAKS.
Critics of TAKS say that teachers are forced “to teach the test” — which is only covering the curriculum that will be on the test — and argue the children of Texas are not getting a fuller, broad-based education.
TAKS was implemented in 2003 to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which requires states to adopt a standardized test for students to move on to the next grade level.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is one of many legislators who are calling for a revamp of the state’s testing system. Dewhurst favors scrapping the TAKS for end-of-course exams in each of the core subjects such as math and English.
Kuempel is not among those state legislators calling for the extinction of TAKS — at least for now.
“I want to look and see how it is working,” Kuempel said.
While the state needs a skills test that provides accountability for the educational system, Kuempel said he would not be against going into a different direction if he comes to the conclusion TAKS is not working.
“We don’t need something that is not doing the job,” Kuempel said. “I want to look at all the different options we have.”
The state fund that covers teacher retirement will be looked over as well, Kuempel said.
Because many teachers are retiring earlier than expected, this has created a bigger cost to the pension fund and required TRS to make benefit payments earlier and for a longer period of time.
Since many teachers are retiring, TRS had unfunded pension liabilities of $13.7 billion as of Aug. 31.
In November, the Texas Water Development Board approved a state water plan that encompassed several regional water plans, including the Edwards Aquifer.
Kuempel said “water will be a major issue” in the upcoming session and that legislators will look for ways to make sure water is available to the people as the state continues to grow.
Growth and capacity in the state’s prisons should be another topic that the Legislature will address, Kuempel said.
While Kuempel will be involved in the important issues of the Legislative session, there is one thing that he plans not to be a part of — the fight as to whether or not House Speaker Tom Craddick retains his position before the session begins.
Craddick, R-Midland, is being challenged by two fellow Republicans, State Reps. Brian McCall of Plano, and Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.
McCall has said that he has enough votes to take the speaker’s position away from Craddick. Pitts has not said how many supporters he has on his side.
Last week, Craddick released the names of 84 state representatives who have pledged to vote for him. That is more than the 75 needed for a majority in the current 149-member state House, which has one seat vacant.
Some state legislators want Craddick out because of what they perceive as his authoritarian governing style and forcing members of his own party to vote against the interests of their districts.
Kuempel did not say if he would back Craddick or his two challengers.
“I am sitting back and watching,” Kuempel said.
Kuempel said he has a good working relationship with Craddick.
“We get along well,” he said.
Whether Craddick comes back as speaker or if McCall or Pitts succeed him, Kuempel wants a positive tone for the Texas House..
“I don’t want to see it [House] as partisan, but non-partisan and to do what’s best for the people of the state of Texas,” Kuempel said.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Comment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|