Mr. Williams is a former general counsel to the Republican Party.
Most recently he served on the commission that regulates the oil and gas industry.
He was born in Midland, Texas, the same town as George W. Bush.
Mr. Williams doesn’t believe in climate change.
He believes in vouchers and charters.
He has no education experience. None.
Another education reformer.
This may be an indication of Governor Perry’s intent to push hard for the privatization of public education in Texas.
Or, more likely, an expression of his contempt for public school educators.
Not long ago, the Texas GOP adopted a policy platform in which the party agreed that it is opposed to critical thinking.
Governor Perry no doubt supports that plank with vigor.
I am looking forward to addressing the annual conference of the Texas Association of School Administrators in Austin on September 30. Y’all come.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thank you so much for the personal invitation to hear you speak at the conference. We’ll be there.
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My head hurts….
Fools rule
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Rick Perry is the poster child of the” ban critical thinking movement”.
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Oh Good Lord. I am from Texas and am so depressed.
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Foreshadowing.
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[intent to push hard for the privatization of public education] is the problem. Not party. However it would be very cool if Obama started thinking about public education students as children.
Throw away the data. Gates & others have funded. Not that much public money spent. Why give them more data? For money? That’s how it appears. US ED is no better than those exploiting student data for profit.
They should stick with the pre-2011 rule change at the very least.
The FTC has cautioned parents to be careful about their children’s education records these past 2 summers. Thank you again, FTC. US ED’s SLDS document now acknowledges potential harm & embarrassment due to disclosure of personal information about students, without the parent’s consent.
Are states & schools informing families of their rights under FERPA?
At the very least it’s non-consensual consent. Big hole in FERPA.
Back to Romney.
We need a president who is willing to dial back. That’s the person who is best for education. Why bother saying children are our future & then lose them in the cloud.
Obama is going to have to change his position on education because what’s in store (unintended pun) has little to do with learning.
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OH no, my bad. No Romney in this post. Well now you know how I feel. Sorry…
Diane, feel free to delete misplaced but heartfelt worries.
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Not surprising that this appointment lacks any thought whatsoever. Critical thinking and analysis are no-noes in Texas.
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Perry rejected Common Core. Big kudos for taking a strong stand against the over-reach by the Feds. Or rather big kudos to Robert Scott.
Climate change (the new buzz word for the old global warming) happened during Biblical times. Just read the Bible.
For those worried about school choice, my suggestion is make your school outstanding that no one wants to leave it.
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MwB,
“Just read the Bible.” For what?
Duane
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Our district tells us that they are teaching the kids to become critical thinkers via the International Baccalaureate program. Funny thing is, it’s full of United Nations propaganda.
My experience with this “FAD” is it’s just another way to indoctrinate in the NAME of critical thinking.
I’m glad to see others realizing what this latest fad is all about.
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Not sure where you’re getting your information. As a teacher of International Baccalaureate, I can tell you that IB DOES NOT have “United Nations Propaganda.” In fact, it was started to assist United States Military families overseas. The propaganda is coming from those who seem to think that because it has the word “International” in it, it must be from the black helicopters or something.
IB actually DOES help with critical thinking, but that’s a discussion for another time.
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What has a belief or non- belief of global warming got to do with being an advocate for education?
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If you watch the video, you will see Michael Wiliams speaking on the subject of climate change. At the time he was on the Texas Railroad Commission, which for some reason is the public agency that regulates the oil and gas industry. When asked about whether he believes in climate change (e.g., the need to regulate those industries), he says emphatically no. He is a very far-right ideologue. That’s worrisome for education. Not climate change, but the mindset of the extreme right, which will decimate public schools.
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He is no advocate for education.. He is an advocate for a school system that steeped in an ideology that is no basis for education!
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All of these comments are indicative of the scary situation that is befalling Texas students. Fear of the UN??? Fear of Critical Thinking??? Fear of Science??? Designed to produce robots.. who are afraid of the world that they must live in.. Look around, you ideologues. It is a world wide competition. It is Technology. There is no going backwards, you stupid old fools.
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Any way that your non-admin fans will be allowed to hear you speak in Austin? It looks like guests of registered members can attend for free. Any admins going who would like to take me on as a guest?
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I will try to organize an event where I can meet with teachers and parents.
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Then definitely count me in! I can’t even play it cool – I’m so excited! Teen-girl-during-Beatlemania excited! I’m in DFW if any fellow Rabid Ravitch fans want to hitch a ride in my perfect teachermobile -the Prius.
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