"Raise Your Hand Texas" Challenges Public Schools
by Michelle Carroll-Smith
February 11, 2008
Raise Your Hand Texas, a bipartisan group of Texas business and
community leaders, parents, and tax payers, champions the success
of public schools in Texas but believes there’s still room for
improvement.
The group was formed last February when a group of prestigious business leaders across the state banded together to advocate for our state’s educational foundation – our local public schools.
Former Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff, Chair of Raise Your Hand Texas, is a strong supporter of public education. “Raise Your Hand Texas is an advocacy organization that challenges our public schools to do better, while also celebrating and acknowledging when they have been successful,” he said recently in an interview.
The organization’s mission is to celebrate, defend, and strengthen Texas public schools through several key initiatives, which include:
• Funded full-day optional Pre-K.
• Improved testing and accountability system.
• Safe and orderly schools
• Campus wide incentive pay based on year over year student
progress.
• Small class sizes for all grades.
• Safe, healthy and happy students.
Raise Your Hand Texas is trying to garner membership and significant support of its online initiatives which help put local citizens in touch with their legislators.
For more information about Raise Your Hand Texas, and to initiate your free membership as a public education advocate, visit the coalition’s Website at www.raiseyourhandtexas.org.
The above article is provided by a group of Texans who organized in support of public education. The board of directors is impressive including but not limited to; Former Lt.Gov. Bill Ratliff; Chairman & CEO, HEB, Charles Butt; Senior Chairman Frost Bank, T. C. Frost; Chairman & CEO, Continental Airlines, Lawrence Kellner; as well as many other CEO’s, company presidents and school board members. Please take a moment to look at the website for more information.
Sincerely,
Michelle Carroll Smith
