Denton Cooley (Aug 22, 1920 – Nov 18, 2016) (heart surgeon, Houston, TX)

Texas TAKS Replaced?

It's all over the internet: like here and here and here. So here it is again:

Texas State Public Education Department cannot seem to
hang on to a statewide test for more than 5 years. School
districts state-wide have used the tests known as TABS,
TEAMS, TAAS, and now TAKS.

Therefore, San Antonio school districts have adopted a test that
better fits the public education in their city. The new instrument
will be the Texas Assessment of Cognitive Operations (TACO).
It will have a remedial version (Soft TACO), a regular version
(Hard TACO), and an advanced version with many more pages
(the Gordita). It will be graded on the standard bell curve (the
TACO Bell).

Districts receiving the lowest scores will be put on probation
with a Basic Educational Appraisal-Not Satisfactory (BEANS).
A second low rating earns the dreaded supplemental Remediation
Factor for Individualized Education Deficits (REFRIED BEANS).

Hmmmmmmm!

One Person, One Vote - One Politician, Many Votes

Texas, Oh, Texas, Oh, My!



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Mary Ann Maddux died today – 4 years ago

Mary Ann Maddux was born on October 24, 1938 in Texas City, Texas. She had been a technical writer and partner at Swain-Maddux Enterprises. She was also a talented writer for the “Stingaree Tales”, the quarterly alumni newsletter of the Texas City high schools. Ms. Maddux died at her residence in 2003. Her memorial service was held on Saturday, July 19, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church of Texas City. It was attended by many friends and admirers. The following is believed to be one of her poems:

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it’s time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,
I’ll great you with a smile and say “Welcome Home.”

Please pause for a few moments to remember this "lovely lady of the mainland."