A Brave Man

Last week the school scheduled a meeting with me to review Abate's Taks test status and his promotion to the 9th grade. I had to request this meeting be a conference call as I really couldn't take off work for it. The meeting was schedule for 8:30 AM on Monday morning. Since I had a number of days before the meeting was to take place I did a bit of research on TAKS testing and ELL students (english language learners). What I discovered was that Abate and Fantu were not afforded the concessions they were entitled to when taking the test. That teacher/parent meetings weren't held when they were required. The schools really dropped the ball (I'm being polite here). Let me tell you the emails were flying to the school, the Texas Education Agency, State Representatives, Congressman, and of course Pres. Obama. Needless to say I was angry. I was spoiling for a fight. Mistakes like this by a school can lead to the possibility of setting up a child for failure. I was arguing against standardized testing for everyone. The cost to the State of Texas every year for this is $93,000,000. And this is during a time of budget shortfalls with deep slashing cuts to the education budget. AUGH!!! Who elected these idiots in office (it wasn't me - I'm a yellow dog democrat in a land of *#%@ republicans).
I was also emailing reports and TEA rules to the school stating my concerns and wanting clarification on the questions that I put forth. I'm sure I was quickly making enemies at the school. I had a right to be angry, my kids education was at stake and the school had made numerous mistakes that was effecting their educational present and future. I was just making sure they knew that they were messing with someone that does not back down, that comes prepared and educated into a meeting. I knew my rights and those of my kids. Don't mess with this ol' goat.
So imagine (I'm sure much to the relief of the school administrators) on late Friday I was informed at work I had to attend a mandatory meeting at the city hall at 8:30 am Monday morning, Alan would take the conference call instead. He' s such a brave man.
The call went well enough. There are a few things we will be needing to do to waive the re-test for Abate. The issues I had were not addressed but I will get my chance as another meeting will be scheduled before the end of the summer. We are pretty sure though at this point that Abate will be promoted to the 9th grade.
I just hope the school officials will be brave enough to face me when the time comes.