Williams is unusual pick as Texas education leader

By Jessamy Brown

jessamybrown@star-telegram.com

ARLINGTON -- Michael L. Williams' appointment as Texas commissioner of education last month came as a surprise to some.

The post, which oversees the Texas Education Agency and the state's 1,200 school districts and charter schools, has traditionally been held by former school district superintendents and board members. And Williams may be best known for his dozen-year stint on the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the state's oil and gas industry.

Williams, 59, points to his management experience and says it is up to Texans to decide whether it's crucial to have a strong background in the education field.

"I am going to let time and the public answer the question of whether or not I am the best pick," he said in a phone interview with the Star-Telegram last week.

"I will acknowledge that I don't have the same level of regulatory, statutory or policy experience [in education] than others," he went on. "I have demonstrated experience of knowing how to lead complicated, complex agencies. I know how to have a conversation with Texans, and I know how to rally individuals around new ideas."

The Austin-based Texas State Teachers Association criticized the appointment. "We hope that Michael Williams will at least listen to teachers, the real education experts, rather than promote the profiteers who would siphon tax dollars from the public schools for vouchers and other privatization schemes," group President Rita Haecker said in a statement after appointment was announced.

This week, spokesman Clay Robison said: "We were disappointed and still are disappointed that he doesn't have professional educational credentials."

Yet Williams also noted that he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to be assistant secretary of education for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education.

Williams was tapped by Gov. Rick Perry's office for the education commissioner post after his failed bid for the 25th Congressional District.

Williams replaces Robert Scott, who stepped down as commissioner after five years on the post and 18 years with the TEA. Williams is the first African-American to be appointed to the job.

Tough times

Williams is taking the helm during a tumultuous time in Texas public education.

The state is facing multiple lawsuits by school districts seeking changes in public education finance. In 2011, the legislature cut $5 billion from public education and will likely be facing tough choices on school funding when it reconvenes in 2013.

And educators have expressed frustration over implementation of the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) standardized tests.

In his first days in office, Williams announced plans to seek a waiver from federal requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act.

He will make the request to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who has general authority to waive federal requirements, rather than requesting another kind of conditional waiver that state officials have said would impose unwanted federal accountability measures on the state's schools.

That decision, made with TEA officials who've been working on the issue, didn't require a learning curve.

"I have spoken for the last decade about the necessity for us as Texans to maintain a fidelity to the sovereignty of the state of Texas. In large part, that notice to seek a waiver from the Department of Education protects the ability of Texas to take care of Texas. As a value, or a philosophy I didn't have to learn much," Williams said.

But Williams declined to comment on STAAR. His predecessor had criticized the emphasis placed on standardized test scores in evaluating academic performance.

"Why don't we take the opportunity to listen to the right people and we will draw a conclusion?" Williams asked. "It's sort of not appropriate for me to announce a position [after only being] here for seven days."

Background

Williams' father, Johnny, is a volunteer football coach at Lamar High School. The younger Williams points to his commitment to young people. He was board president of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School in Fort Worth and taught at Texas Wesleyan Law School. He was tapped by former Arlington school Superintendent Lynn Hale to serve on a long-range planning committee, he said.

Known for his trademark bow ties and hearty laugh, Williams uses his booming voice as a volunteer narrator of stories for children, including the visually impaired and those with special needs.

"He has the most fantastic voice," said Harriet Fabrick, a children's book author from The Woodlands. "He makes a marvelous voiceover [artist]. The kids love to listen to him."

This article includes information from the Star-Telegram archives.

Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326

Twitter: @jessamybrown

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