There is a concerted effort to undermine the public education system of Texas. Over the past decade the legislature has failed to adequately fund the public school system of Texas, but it has burdened it with unfunded mandates. In 2003, we saw $20 million cut from Texas Education Agency to pay for three (3) special sessions for redistricting led by Tom De Lay and Gov. Rick Perry. In 2006, the Texas legislature reduced funding for public schools and higher education. In 2007, the legislature cut local school taxes and gave Texas' teachers a pay raise, but again, failed to pay for it. Last spring the legislature cut $5 billion in funding from Texas public schools but instituted a new school accountability exam (STARR). The STARR exam requires a retraining for many Texas teachers but no funds were allocated. The standards for the exam for 9th grade students were not created until this fall the same time the test was completed by Pearson. The standards for 3rd --8th will not be developed until fall of 2012. Many School principals would have already developed the CIP (Campus Improvement Plans) for the 2012-2013 school year.