Blog Entry
Welcome from President Sharon Miller
December 5, 2011 by s-haigler, under Announcements.
Welcome to the Texas College Reading and Learning Website!
TxCRLA represents college and university Developmental English and Math Educators and Learning Support Professionals across the state.
Every late fall, we partner with TADE, the Texas Association for Developmental Education and the THECB, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to host the College Academic Support
SHARON MILLER
Programs Conference, CASP. On October 22-25, our organizations celebrated our 30th Anniversary CASP Conference in Austin at Austin’s AT & T Executive Training and Conference Center. Thanks to our site co-chairs, Dr. Russ Hodges and Dr. Carol Dochen, 340 participants enjoyed the expertise of over 150 outstanding presenters, entertainment from student performers in the Austin area, and the excitement of learning from one another. At the conference, TxCRLA and TADE awarded Dr. Carol Dochen with the President’s Award for Service, honoring her 30 years of service to the organization and to Texas. Dr. Claire Ellen Weinstein was celebrated with the CASP Lifetime Achievement Award for her research and contribution to the field as well as her many years of service. Both educators also have the honor of scholarships named for them. Enjoy the short video posted on this site for a quick insight into that wonderful conference. [Click here for video.]
TxCRLA is more than the co-host of a great conference. We are right in the middle of the great work of improving higher education in the state.
Developmental and Math professionals began a “Joyful Conspiracy” to rethink and restructure math last summer. It is a project embracing the task from many directions, from the state chancellors and presidents to the THECB, from interested legislators to foundations like the Gates Grant, business leaders from the Texas Association of Business, and most importantly, including math instructors from Texas colleges and universities including the Dana Center at the University of Texas.
This fall, I was asked to chair a State Leadership Committee associated with the Developmental Education Initiative, which will broaden its original charge to include Developmental Reading and Writing. This is an unprecedented opportunity for English faculty to participate in “reviewing research, promising practices, and state data to guide policy and planning recommendations,” (DEI State Leadership Charge). In late November, the THECB also formed state committees to address Program Review, TSI standards, and Assessment. Now is the time for all of us to get involved, share our resources, and make the right recommendations about what should scale up . . . before decisions are made for us and our students!
TxCRLA leaders will be doing our part by supporting the CASP Listserv, which is hosted by Eric Paulson at Texas State University, hosting Brown Bag Webinars, aggressively compiling research, searching for best practices, and circulating position papers for your review and comments. Our first draft addressing student placements began circulating in November and is posted on our website. Keep up with the latest developments by joining the Listserv (directions are on this website), participating in the webinars, and sharing your resources. I plan to periodically update our membership through this website and the Listserv.
I invite you to join me to expand the “Joyful Conspiracy” and take our place in the Developmental Education and Learning Support decision-making in the state of Texas. Ultimately, the best we can give will benefit our students as we improve their opportunities to make their American Dreams come true.
All the best for student success!
Sharon Miller
Comment by s-haigler.
I am so excited to have Sharon Miller as the new TxCRLA president. She brings to the office a vision for the organization and such a commitment to excellence for college support services. I look forward to a great year for TxCRLA under her leadership.