I then met with J. Terence Patterson, Education Program Officer for the Hyde Foundation, in his magnificent Memphis office overlooking the Mississippi River...sitting in Tennessee looking across the river to Arkansas.  The Hyde Foundation's role in education is, in their words:

January 31st, Day 31 of Education Ride 365, I visited Dr. Chris Washam at Mississippi College in Jackson MS.  We discussed a whole range of issues, including the positive and negative impacts of school accountability systems in the form of high stakes standardized testing.  This is a ripe subject for discussion.  Ours was wide ranging.  In particular, I was curious about his analysis of the tension (as well as points of convergence) between a school's academic mission (judged today to be effective---or not--- almost exclusively by "the test") and the other components of a well-rounded education such as the arts, athletics, and other forms of self-expression and critical thinking.  What kind of person (individual) do we really want to develop as a product of American education? 

This same topic was the basis of much of my discussion later in the day with the very knowledgeable Assistant Superintendent Tim Martin (no relation) of the Clinton Public School District.  This district is one of only four districts in Mississippi rated with their highest distinction---> it is a Star District.  The district is diverse, has shown significant growth over the years, and is now achieving at a high level by the state's standards.  How does their state's standards compare with those of other states?  That is a topic we discussed in the context of the developing common core curriculum and assessments being adopted across our country by most every state but Texas and Alaska.  It should provide a true basis of comparison to judge the quality of education from state to state.

After a lengthy discussion of his state's current accountability system, I came away feeling it was much more progressive than that of states not based upon a "growth model" ...including the one in Texas.  This will be discussed further in future blog posts.

I was also interested in the "bridge school" concept Clinton Public Schools employ.  I was part of such a "bridge school" in Lewisville ISD (TX) that served only 9th graders 'bridging' the significant divide between middle school and high school.  Clinton has a 9th grade bridge, as well as a 6th grade only campus to bridge the elementary to middle school divide.  I think this is SO wise.  More about why and my experience in a bridge school in later posts!

February 1st---Day 32---I was hosted in Marshall TX by a very engaging couple, Harry & Tyna Leonard.  Our discussions regarding education were interesting and are sure to come up in future posts.

February 7-10 the Cycle of Education was displayed in EdClick's booth during the 2012 annual conference of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA).  We met so many dedicated, passionate educators throughout the conference.  Others were folks we knew from years of working in the Texas public education system, such as Joan Gore and Janet Corder (pictured above), both retired from Lewisville ISD but both also very much still involved in the education scene in Texas and beyond.  The Cycle was a big hit and many educators took pictures sitting on and/or standing beside it.  There are no doubt many such pictures circulating around schools today!

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Riding Stats: Day 27---231.1 miles traveled, 6 hours and 23 minutes of moving time, 7 hours and 21 minutes of stopped time, and a max speed of 81.4 miles per hour.  Day 28---Day of rest.  Day 29---308.6 miles traveled, 5 hours and 7 minutes of moving time, 4 hours and 37 minutes of stopped time, 60.3 miles per hour moving average, 31.6 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 82 miles per hour.  Day 30---41.38 miles traveled, 1 hours and 2 minutes of moving time, 2 hours and 57 minutes of stopped time, 42 miles per hour moving average, 9.3 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 75.3 miles per hour.  Day 31---244.2 miles traveled, 3 hours and 44 minutes of moving time, 1 hour and 33 minutes of stopped time, 65.4 miles per hour moving average, 46.1 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 87.3 miles per hour.  Day 32 (Feb 1)---295.3 miles traveled, 6 hours and 2 minutes of moving time, 3 hours and 19 minutes of stopped time, 48.8 miles per hour moving average, 31.5 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 87.6 miles per hour.  Day 33---175.6 miles traveled, 3 hours and 35 minutes of moving time, 1 hours and 4 minutes of stopped time, 48.9 miles per hour moving average, 37.8 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 87.2 miles per hour.  Day 34---14.65 miles traveled, 19 minutes and 34 seconds of moving time, 9 minutes of stopped time, 47.5 miles per hour moving average, 33 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 83.2 miles per hour.  Day 35 and 36---cycle maintenance.  Day 37 (Feb 6)--- 208.4 miles traveled, 2 hours and 59 minutes of moving time, 37 minutes of stopped time, 69.7 miles per hour moving average, 57.7 miles per hour overall average, and a max speed of 85.1 miles per hour.  Day 38---19.46 miles traveled, 48 minutes of moving time, and a max speed of 78.9 miles per hour.  Day 39 and 40---Cycle on display at Austin Convention Center.