Clinical assistant professor Dawn Westfall

Department of Curriculum & Instruction clinical assistant professor, Dawn Westfall has been selected by State Board of Education (SBOE) to serve on the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) ELAR (English Language Arts and Reading) Kindergarten-Grade 2 revision committee.  Ph.D in CUIN - Urban Education student Valerie Maclin has also been selected. She will be part of the Grade 3-6 committee. Westfall and Maclin traveled to Austin to meet for two three-day sessions.  There is another session scheduled in early 2016.

CUIN Doctoral student Valarie Maclin (left) with graduate advisor Delandra Hampton.

The SBOE oversees all aspects of the TEKS, including revisions.  “They have stated that our role as committee members is ‘to ensure that Texas has a world-class set of standards’,” said Westfall.  “The committees are facilitated and supported by the TEA (Texas Education Agency).  However, it is the committee members who work together to do the actual revision of the current TEKS.”

As a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and administrator in Texas public schools for 24 years, the TEKS were the foundation of Westfall’s work.  “To be on the committee that will recommend to our SBOE what should be taught in language arts and reading classrooms across Texas for at least the next ten years is an awesome responsibility,” she said.  “I feel a tremendous obligation to the children and teachers of Texas to provide them with a clear, rigorous set of standards that will not only prepare students to be college and career ready, but support their development as global citizens and leaders.”  

Each committee member has areas of expertise, and Westfall enjoyed participating in the professional conversations about teaching and learning in the language arts.  “I have also been thinking about how we will need to adjust our teacher preparation program so our students are well-prepared to teach the new ELAR TEKS successfully,” said Westfall.  “I spoke with one of the SBOE members about how UH (University of Houston) and other teacher preparation programs in the state can get training about the new ELAR TEKS, much like the training provided to school districts.”  Westfall is very optimistic that the committee will meet the goal of recommending a world-class set of ELAR standards for the children of Texas. “I am honored to be a part of that vital process,” she said. 

Westfall and Maclin were selected from a large pool of candidates. Maclin tells us that at the first meeting, Texas SBOE school board member, Donna Bahorich, explained that that there was a total of 10,000 applications. “Upon hearing the process described made me realize the tremendous responsibility that has been invested in us,” said Maclin. “Also, the recognition of my English language arts experiences at such a high level means the world to me!”

Maclin, who is a graduate assistant for professor Lee Mountain and clinical professor Margaret Hale, has learned a great deal from the ELAR faculty at COE.  “Collaborating with Dr. Westfall ensures that the continuity of overarching goals and student expectations are maintained,” said Maclin. “I am so glad to have the opportunity to benefit from her experiences.”

Westfall told us that a very rough initial draft has been given to the SBOE for review.  It will be posted for public comment and analyzed by expert reviewers appointed by the SBOE.  The committees will take all the feedback and complete further revisions until there is a set of standards approved by the SBOE

 “The committee is actually looking forward to constructive feedback on our work so we can make it even better for teachers and kids, said Westfall.  For more information and if you would like to participate in this process, please visit the TEA website at http://community.tctela.org.