Mr. Charles E. McMahen
Chairman
Governor’s Business Council
515 Congress Avenue, Suite 1780
Austin, Texas 78701
Dear Charles:
I am writing to congratulate you on your excellent work in the creation of a strong agenda to improve K-12 education in Texas. I know that you worked with the nation’s leading education experts, researchers and teachers with years of classroom experience to develop the Excellence in the Classroom recommendations. I also know that there is strong support from Texans from all walks of life, including teachers, for your proposals.
I would like to add my support for your work and your specific recommendations, including strengthened academic standards and coursework and achievement tests aligned with the improved standards; the creation of better tools to measure the academic progress of students, dramatically improved teacher performance; increased pay for effective teachers and the removal of persistently ineffective teachers; improved professional development programs; programs to improve principal and administrator leadership and performance; and improved college level teacher training to prepare more effective teachers.
I urge all Texans — and specifically our business, education and community leaders — to strongly support the Governor’s Business Council and the Excellence in the Classroom effort. Making sure every Texas child receives the best education possible is the very foundation of the future of our state.
Sincerely,
Rick Perry
