Office of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. April 3, 1981 For Immediate Release: Governor Bill Clements and Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, today reiterated their strong support of legislation which directs the State Board of Education to provide greater emphasis on basic subject matter and maintain a realistic curriculum. The bills (SB 178 and HB 246) by Senator Pete Snelson of Midland and Representative Bill Haley of Center change the present fragmented, legislatively-mandated curriculum, which includes such subjects as "Kindness to Animals and Birds in their Nests." The present system makes it impossible for the State Board to beef up the basic courses. "These bills have been the subject of considerable misinformation," Governor Clements said. "No one can seriously believe that the teaching of such subjects as Texas history and free enterprise will be diluted or removed from the curriculum by this legislation. The bills mandate that each school district shall offer a well-balanced curriculum that includes English language arts; other languages, to the extent possible; mathematics; science; health; physical education; fine arts; social studies; economics; business education; and vocational education. "Eliminating some courses with specific grade level and time requirements from the statutes will give the State Board of Education an opportunity to put more emphasis on the basic courses, while retaining legislative oversight over the entire process," the Governor said. Members of the State Board of Education are not professional educators, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor pointed out. Rather, they are elected citizens who meet monthly to prescribe, develop, and monitor the total State public education program. The State Board is designated by the State Constitution and the Legislature to perform this function. Under the Texas Administrative Procedures Act, the board is required to hold three public readings before any rule changes are ordered. The board is subject to public inph as is the Legislature, and it works closely with school boards, administrators, teachers, students, parents, and citizens. SB 178 and HB 246 resulted from an 18-month study by both the Governor's Advisory Committee on Public Education, which was made up of parents, teachers, local school board members, administrators, and distinguished educators, and the HCR 90 Study Panel, which was made up of Senators, Representatives, and State Board of Education members. Supporters include the Texas Parent Teachers Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Association of Professional Educators., Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Administrators the Texas Association of Speech Communicators, and the State Board of Education. Representing more than 800,000 members, these major educational groups reflect thc entire spectrum of professionals and ci ,zens concerned about public education in Texas.