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The facts and misconceptions of public education through the eyes of an educator, mom, and proud product of public schools.
I'm confused. Not too long ago during the never-ending November elections I heard a couple recurring themes. These themes crossed party lines and echoed true from candidates and constituents alike; the economy and education. In fact, it seems to me that education is a priority for almost every candidate in every election. Why? Because candidates are smart enough to know that during election season they should talk about priorities that matter to people, and providing a quality education matters to people.
So when the Texas House released a budget draft calling for $10 billion in reductions to public school funding, I was more than perplexed. Don't get me wrong, I understand that the State is facing a budget shortfall of epic proportions and that the Legislature is charged with balancing the budget. I won't pretend to understand how difficult that is since the only thing I balance is my family checkbook, and it is miles away from the billion dollar level. But then again, I do balance my family checkbook, so maybe I am qualified to make some judgments after all. I'm confused.
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Don't forget we depend on your generosity to continue to share our positive messages about our public schools with people across the state in an effective manner, through our billboard campaign, posters, monthly newsletter, presentations, and staff development trainings, to highlight a few.
Please consider giving generously a tax-deductible contribution to our non-profit organization. Donations are accepted by credit card through our website, or by check made payable to Friends of Texas Public Schools and mailed to P. O. Box 1568, Rockwall, Texas, 75087.
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FOTPS posters still available
Public school students outperform private school peers in math
In another study that turns conventional wisdom about public-versus-private-school education on its head, a team of
University of Illinois education professors has found that public-school students outperform their private-school classmates on standardized math tests, thanks to two key factors: certified math teachers and a modern, reform-oriented math curriculum.
Visit our online store to order your complimentary posters. Small postage fee applies.
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Editorial Note from Scott Milder, President and CEO, Friends of Texas Public Schools.
 The fuss over top heavy administration, excessive spending on football and other extracurricular activities, and the general inefficiencies of our public schools are nothing more than falsehoods fueled by those who would like the public to believe our schools are top heavy and inefficient. The facts of the matter lead anyone who conducts just a tiny bit of research on the subject to find that our public schools are arguably the most efficient human enterprise in our state and nation.
Little known factoid... only 3 pennies of every education dollar are spent on central administration in this state. On the flipside, 49 cents of every education dollar is spent on teacher salaries. What about extracurricular? Surely we could save some serious dollars if we cut football and other activities. Turns out only 3 pennies of every education dollar are spent on extracurricular activities. Huh...This document, Tracking the Education Dollar, sorts things out for us and is a fantastic tool that every educator and school board member should keep in their hip pocket. Thanks to Moak Casey & Associates, a private sector financial firm specializing in the most complex math problem on the planet -- school funding -- for preparing this report.
Arm yourself with the facts! Share them with your staffs first, then your supporters/advocates, then with your critics. And ignore those malcontents. They wouldn't believe a fact if it jumped off the page and slapped them in the face.
--Milder
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Texas shouldn't reduce spending at the expense of its education system
By F. Scott McCown
 Texas ranks No. 17 among the states in educational achievement. In its own study, the United States Chamber of Commerce came to a similar conclusion, saying Texas has a "middling" school system.
Remarkably, Texas educators achieve that middling result with a student body that ranks 45 in family income, 46 in how far parents went in school, and 50 in parents who are fluent English-speakers. And they manage to do so in a system that ranks 47 in per-pupil spending after adjusting for regional cost differences. In other words, with among the most disadvantaged students, Texas educators get comparatively good results with almost the least money.
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Hold Texas schools accountable, but make them a reflection of our communities and values by Pam Waggoner, Leander ISD Board Member
We have become a society of sound bites. We get our news by reading headlines, or following the tweet of our favorite blogger. It really doesn't matter if the blogger has any expertise in a subject area, they blog their headlines like "cut the fat, cut the spending" and we like to hear it.
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Keep education in the public sector
by Maurice Elias, Edutopia blogger
"It is difficult for me to understand why we want, need, or should tolerate 'competition' for a public function such as education," writes Maurice Elias in a blog post on Edutopia. As Elias points out, we don't have competition for police and fire services, which are required to be uniformly excellent and equitable. When they're not, they're improved directly, not by siphoning funds for alternatives.
Departments of education in every state should uphold every child's right to a free, appropriate public education, he says. This mission should be undertaken in a spirit of continuous improvement, rather than a punitive one.
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Need a fresh and affordable approach to staff development and convocation this fall?
 | | Leslie Milder |
Don't let the state budget crisis derail your professional development program. "We bring inspirational messages to educators about being loyal to themselves, their schools and their profession. We must educate ourselves about our profession, defend ourselves against unfair criticism and harsh accusations of widespread failure, and have the courage to respectfully and professionally set people straight when they are misinformed." - Leslie Milder, Founder, Friends of Texas Public Schools
- Convention Keynotes
- Convocation Keynotes
- Teacher of the Year Events
- New Teacher Luncheons
- Support Staff Functions
- Board Workshops / Team of 8
- Community / Civic Events
- New Teacher Programs
- Ambassador Training
- Campus Staff Training
- Summer Leadership Retreats
Contact Leslie by email at lmilder@fotps.org |
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Our Mission
The mission of Friends of Texas Public Schools, the leading voice of optimism and hope for our public school family, is to ensure positive and constructive conversation about public schools by educating Texans through honest communication, productive dialogue, and relentless encouragement.
Please share our optimism for public education, pass us along to others.
Friends of Texas Public Schools
Scott Milder, President & Chief Executive
P.O. Box 1568
Rockwall, TX 75087
Phone: 214-497-6411
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