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11:05 am Time to continue with Amendments to high school social studies

Pat Hardy (R-Weatherford) strikes "and MesoAmerican civilization" in World History, because it is now in another section.

World History 7f: Will read "explain new economic factors and principles that contributed to the success of Europe's commercial revolution." (Clean up of same idea), but others from The Faction (Barbara Cargill and Terri Leo ) want original statement back because it has "pro-free-market factors language." Bob Craig points out that during 1450 to 1750, the time period covered, such language is not even historically accurate. Amendment carries narrowly.

World History 8e: "Explain the effects of free enterprise in the Industrial Revolution" instead of "benefits." Once more, The Faction objects, and insists on a record vote. Amendment carries anyway, 8-6.

World History 25c: insert "that began with the Renaissance" after "growing secularism"

World History 27a: Science Technology & Society: "such as Archimedes, Copernicus, Erastosthenes, Galileo, Pythagoras, Robert Boyle, and Isaac Newton." ("They were in the wrong list before," Pat Hardy says.) The Faction wants "including" instead of "such as" to make them mandatory. Pat Hardy flips her wig, having them hold up the book so they see how fat it is already, and mentioning that because of the rule for three separate hits on every topic, this would make it fatter. A smaller part of The Faction loses 5 to 10, with McLeroy and Lowe voting AGAINST Terri Leo and Barbara Cargill. Leo and Cargill and the others give up and Pat Hardy's original motion passes unanimously.

World History 28e (remove Boyle and Newton here, because they're elsewhere.)

McLeroy asks to add Allan Turing to 28e. Pat Hardy thinks that's too much. Terri Leo agrees. Amendment fails 11-4.

Mavis Knight (D-Dallas) moves to add 1a) "Students understand that current sociology terminology references "bce" ("before common era") and ce ("common era") references bc ("before Christ") and ad ("Anno Domini")." Amendment fails.

Barbara Cargill (R-The Faction, The Woodlands) 18a) would restore Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" to be specifically added. "This is not a lesson plan, but an overall guide to things that need to be taught," Bob Craig (R-Lubbock) says. Amendment carries 8 to 7 with Tincy Miller (R-North Dallas) joining The Faction.

World History 18e) "...explain why communist command economies collapsed in competition with free market economies at the end of the twentieth century." Passes 10 to 5

18f) "...formulate generalizations on how economic freedom improved the human condition..."
Mary Helen Berlanga is "appalled" at the last-minute nature of all of these new amendments. "Teachers wouldn't accept this kind of last-minute cut-and-paste from a student. Why do we?" Others are offended at her statement, so Gail Lowe has trouble reining them in to discuss the actual point under consideration. Rick Agosto (D-San Antonio) alleges that much of the language being put in ("commercial revolution...") is beyond the expertise of many of the board members, himself included. He thinks they should listen to the experts. Change passes anyway, 9-5 with Agosto abstaining.

18's overall knowledge statement: "Student understands the historic origins of contemporary economic systems and the benefits of free enterprise in world history." Once more, Bob Craig tries to have "effects" instead of "benefits," but it fails. Passes 9-5 with Agosto abstaining.

22e) Rene Nunez (D-El Paso) moves to insert "Oscar Romero" after Gandhi. Amendment carries without objection.

Cynthia Dunbar (R-The Faction, Richmond) inserts "21c Identify examples of key persons who are examples of shifting political thought, including William Wilberforce." Amendment carries 8-2 with 5 not voting.

Bob Craig (R-Lubbock) 20c add words "Enlightenment ideas from the writings of..." wants to delete John Calvin and add Thomas Jefferson. (He's not sure John Calvin fits here.) McLeroy points out that Thomas Aquinas doesn't fit either, and says that's why "Enlightenment" was struck, so he doesn't want "Enlightenment" back in, but he'll agree to Thomas Jefferson back in. Cynthia Dunbar is VERY sure that John Calvin is the key to all of the political philosophers listed. Fails 7 to 8.

Ken Mercer (R-The Faction, San Antonio) asks for Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to be added, WITHOUT deleting John Calvin. Pat Hardy (R-Weatherford) worries about adding too much (Madison). But adding Madison fails 8 to 7 after Cargill points out how many times he's studied. Thomas Jefferson is restored unanimously.

Bob Craig on 20c) "Explain the political philosophies of individuals such as..." instead of "Explain the impact of the writings of..." Rick Agosto (D-San Antonio) signals he won't support it. "I don't know who we are, to change the intent of the writers. We're changing the whole emphasis of the standard. This is exactly why we get in trouble in the media, and why they're all here today. This is embarrassing. This is something we made up no more than 10 minutes ago." Mary Helen Berlanga worries that investigating each ones' political philosophies may not be achievable in the time teachers have. Pat Hardy disagrees. It passes easily.

McLeroy asks to reconsider 18f to read "Compare and contrast the success of communist and free-enterprise systems." Fails 7 to 8. Original language stays in place ("communist command economies").

1:45 pm Another 10 minute break.