The Katy-based, public education advocacy group A Better Legacy has announced its

organization is collaborating with former Katy I.S.D. school board member George Scott on a

significant issue dealing with parental rights to be meaningful partners in their children’s

education involving issues that have arisen in Spring Branch I.S.D.

The issue that is the subject of this cooperation involves independent research and analysis of the

scope and operational details of a program in which the district apparently provides junior high

English Language classroom teachers a set of classroom books for independent reading which

has apparently provoked genuine concerns from many parents in the district.

“We have been communicating with George on this matter for some time now, and have worked

with him on a series of public information requests to SBISD that ABL will use to let parents in

Spring Branch understand if the district is being totally candid with them on the details, goals,

and evaluation of this program,” Sean Dolan said.

Dolan acknowledged that some may be surprised of this collaboration given ABL’s and Scott’s

prior conflicts when he served on the Katy school board. “We’ve agreed that our past conflicts

will not interfere with our commitment to helping Spring Branch parents get the information to

which they are entitled to have regarding their children’s education.”

“This announcement is void of any commentary on the program itself. George is leading this

research effort for us. When we have developed the information that is needed to evaluate the

concerns that have been expressed by many parents, we’ll offer our assessment,” Dolan said.

“I have learned in my 48-year career in the public arena that I have made few permanent enemies

but maintained even fewer permanent friends,” Scott said. “Neither Sean or I have compromised

on our past differences. I am extremely glad to help ABL on this profound issue in Spring

Branch because it is an incredibly relevant public issue that is also a growing state and national

issue.”

Scott and Dolan both agree that many in the public education establishment and their apologists

in the news media believe that parents have no right to know and understand the details of

curriculum initiatives and programs used in public schools.

Both say they understand the political and media dynamics that come into play when the subject

of reading, materials becomes an issue especially for upper elementary and middle school

students.

In a joint statement, Dolan and Scott said: “We understand that many in today’s educational and

media culture believe that ‘the educational experts are the experts and parents need to shut up

and nod yes and say thank-you. We do not know the details of this program. However, we see

smoke and we believe it is important public policy. We’ll use our skills to help the parents

understand what is happening. The research has begun. We’ll let the facts speak for themselves.”

“This is not about book-burning or censorship. It’s about curriculum and instruction and

effectiveness and accountability and the notion that there should be a politically-correct wall

between parents and those issues is both sad and irrational,” Dolan and Scott concluded.