Patrick, Ratliff to Debate CSCOPE

AUSTIN — State Senator Dan Patrick has tried to dismantle the state’s controversial CSCOPE online school lesson program. State Education Board Member Thomas Ratliff is fighting to allow school districts to continue to use it. The two have agreed to debate the issue this month in Tyler. Patrick says, “I think we should close the program down now.” He also tweeted to Ratliff, “I’m coming to East Texas, will you be there?” — referring to the August 24th debate.

The CSCOPE program does have supporters — like hundreds of school districts and Cathy Miller, the president of the Texas Freedom Network. She says, “Right now, it’s just the tea party activists and their darlings in the Legislature, like Senator Patrick, who are trumping up major charges that I don’t think bear out.” Ratliff has said he believes Patrick’s motives are political as well. Patrick has announced his campaign for lieutenant governor.