Higher Academic Expectations Help ALL Texas Children
By former State Rep. Dora Olivo
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – With all due respect, the notion that not all students are college material, or that our school system should not have a college expectation for all students, is not something that is coming from African American and Latino parents. There should be certain non-negotiables in the policy decisions that we make for our children in education.
And one of those non-negotiables is maintaining and always pushing for higher academic expectations and standards for all our children.
In 2009, certain individuals in the legislature made efforts to derail the 4×4 curriculum, but some of us defeated that move. Those of you who were here following the 2009 session recall that while they failed at dismantling the 4×4, certain members were successful in taking out health, P. E. and fine arts from the list 
of required electives.
You, as a State Board of Education, stood firm in maintaining higher academic standards and made sure that all children get a well-rounded education.
YOU, put health, P. E. and fine arts back into the curriculum.
And yet here again today, just a few short years later, now similar forces, in the name of “flexibility,” want to once again derail higher academic standards for all our children at a time when a college education is more meaningful than ever before.
You as a governmental body have already drafted rules that keep standards high for all children, such as including rules that all 5 endorsements include Algebra II, which we know is a key course for college preparedness and eligibility.
I applaud you for once again standing firm, and pushing for high academic standards and expectations.
For the sake of the children, and let me remind you that Texas is a majority minority state. Our students are predominantly Latino and African American, and overwhelmingly come from low-income 2 backgrounds, and many will be the first in their families to attend college. These young people are depending on you to ensure 
that our school systems are designed to help them reach their optimum potential for themselves and for their families and communities.
In a recent survey of parents in the Houston area the data was clear in stating that African American and Latino families understand the necessity of higher education and overwhelmingly express a desire for their children to obtain a quality education.
Again, with all due respect, the notion that not all students are college material, or that our school system should not have a college expectation for all students, is not something that is coming from African American and Latino parents.
So for the future of our State and our Nation, I am asking that you once again stand firm for high academic expectations and standards for all children.
This Nation has always aspired to be the best and we can only continue to be the best when we offer the best academic and quality education for every child that comes through the doors of our schools.
It is time that we stop listening to the voices of mediocrity.
It is time that we stop nailing too many of our children to the starting line.
Once again, it is in your hands. Please stand firm, as you have in the past, for the sake of all our children.
Former State Rep. Dora Olivo presented her comments to the Texas State Board of Education on Wednesday November 20, 2013. She welcomes comments at dolivoh@sbcglobal.net.
