November 23, 2015 3:06 PM

Commissioner Paredes calls for higher grad rates, more professional development in higher ed

“If you’re wondering why high school tests in math and science are where they are, that’s the reason. We don’t have enough quality math and science teachers to meet the demand.”

Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes delivered a tough talk to college trustees and administrators this past week, setting out an agenda to improve performance and meet the goals set out in the state’s new 60x30Tx long-range plan.

Paredes, perhaps more than any other appointed official in Texas, never pulls his punches, either with legislators or administrators. If the numbers have to be shown, Paredes won’t hesitate to show them even when he knows his views might encounter some serious opposition, even from lawmakers.

Take, for instance, Paredes’ assessment as to why Texas is not gaining ground in math and science test scores in public schools. Texas has lots of good teachers, but it doesn’t have enough good teachers to go around, he said. Too often, teachers come from the bottom third, rather than the top, of their college classes.

By Kimberly Reeves