Roland Gutierrez on Education

Don't require evaluation of schools with A-F grades

When the measure originally passed the House, both Democrats and Republicans rose to oppose the change. State Rep. Sylvester Turner, said moving to the letter grades would be a "horrendous mistake. That places more of a stigma on kids who are trying to rise above their circumstances," he said.

In a particularly fiery speech, Rep. Phillips urged his colleagues to "stand up for sanity in schools" & vote for his amendment to strip the A-thru-F ratings from the bill. "You think just because you rate someone A thru F they are going to do a better job? No," Phillips said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-1-0 on May/29/15; passed House 119-17-2 on May/31/15; State Rep. Roland Gutierrez voted NO; signed by Governor Greg Abbott Jun/19/15.