Damon, I agree that a state board of education should have viable functions that contribute to a public education system. This is an elected board in Texas. The problems are several: It is a low key group that the public doesn't engage with very much and that is not high on the public's radar screen. In addition, the members' districts are huge. I don't think the system is particularly broken -- it's just that these are the folks that Texas has elected. I think the answer is for people with a different motivation to step up, garner support and bring issues to the public, and run for the seats. It takes alot of time and money to do it, but it's possible. The issues with the Texas SBOE should be brought up in an election, with an emphasis on making sure people know what's at stake in their public schools. There are some folks in Texas deciding right now to run in some of these spots, so perhaps there will be more debate and interest in the future.

What boggles the mind is the absence of any educational requirements on the part of ed board candidates. We're so crazy about testing for achievement now, I fantasize we apply that principle to those who take part in running the schools. A snowball's chance, I know.

Clay, I understand your thoughts but want to give a different perspective. What I have to say here applies not only to a state board of education but to local ones as well. I don't believe that boards should require educational criteria, because that's not what they are supposed to be -- that part is already supplied in the professional educational establishments --the local school district or the state department of education. School boards should be made up of citizens from all walks of life who are willing to invest their time in overseeing education institutions. Of course they should be savvy about educational issues, but not from the viewpoint of professional educators. Having said that, sometimes professional educators are elected or appointed to boards, and there is nothing wrong with that. I served on my school board with a professional educator, and she supplied great insight -- but the rest of us were attorneys, Realtors, public relations experts, sales people, etc. We all learned extensively about education issues and in doing so, were able to effectively oversee the professional management of the district.

The example of can always cite is that I have seen many financial professionals say they are going to run for a school board so that they can dictate the financial management. But that is not their job as a member of a school board. Their job is to oversee the Superintendent who hires and manages the financial staff. That said, they can certainly ask pertinent questions and give that viewpoint and insight.

In the case of a state board of education, I think we need educated citizens who are willing to work on behalf of better educational opportunities for all students, who do not have a personal or political agenda, who are willing to stay abreast of current eduction issues, and who are willing for the professional educators to actually run the schools.