April 9, 1999

Chairman, Award Selection Committee
National Association States Boards of Education
1012 Cameron Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Subject: Nomination for Outstanding Policy Leader Award

Dear Sir:

Please accept my nomination of Jimmy Kilpatrick for the NASBE Outstanding Policy Leader Award , application enclosed.

Jimmy Kilpatrick is a successful business owner of Roxbury Antiques, one of Houston's oldest antique stores. He and his wife, Nora, have four sons and have resided in Sugar Land and Fort Bend County since 1990.

In the past four years Mr. Kilpatrick has been actively involved in education policy in Texas, in other states and at the federal level. In 1996 he was instrumental in changing the direction of the K-3 English Language Arts and Reading Standards in Texas. The effort began with members of the Texas State Board of Education requesting his help. Earlier, he had first introduced empirical, replicated research at a meeting of the board. In addition to his testimony, he arranged for the National Institutes of Child Health Learning Division Branch lead investigator, Dr. Barbara Foorman, to make a presentation to the board. Prior to this presentation, few educators were aware of the new research in reading.

Mr. Kilpatrick assembled a panel of the finest reading experts in the nation and brought then before the Texas State Board of Education. Although Mr. Kilpatrick choreographed the entire presentation, he did not seek or received the credit. Because of the calliber of these individuals, the reading debate was opened in Texas. From this point forward, he worked tirelessly to educate policy makers and the public about the National Institutes of Health reading research under Dr. Reid Lyon. Though Mr. Kilpatrick's ability to network with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he was able to make people realize that the "reading battle" was not political issue but an education issue.

Mr. Kilpatrick has distinguished himself with numerous activities and involvement in improving education. Many of his efforts have been without compensation or recognition. His numerous acts of service to the State of Texas and the nation and his accomplishments include the following:

* Mr. Kilpatrick wrote an amendment for State Representative Charlie Howard to require colleges and universities to include as part of their reading instruction the NICHD replicated research on Reading (Senate Bill 1, 74 th Legislature). This same language has been adopted in the federal Reading Excellence Act.

* Chosen as Legislative Education Chairman, Texas Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce (TAMCC)

* Authored TAMCC and League of United Latin American Citizen's (LULAC) National Phonics Resolution. This resolution played an instrumental part in the adoption of California reading standards.

* Developed a Parental Tips for Reading in Spanish .

* Established the largest math pilot program in the United States (Saxon Math-Houston ISD); eighty-one schools and over 10,000 students.

* Secured funding for the establishment of the Texas Reading Institute, an education institute improving the skills with phonologically-based reading disabilities.

* Established and chaired Texas Education Task Force, a group of professionals and parents with the sole purpose of bringing accountability to public education.

* Requested by members of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) to organize a panel of national reading experts and researchers to testify on reading acquisition and the current research.

* Introduced and advised Fort Bend Independent School District on the establishment of three reading intervention programs.

* Advised Houston, Katy, Spring Branch, Grandview, and Deer Park school districts as well as Region IV, V, VI on reading and mathematics.

* Involved at Region V in recording a two-hour video discussing problems and solutions for reading acquisition.

* Requested by Governor George W. Bush's staff members to prepare a research-based reading policy for K-Grade 3.

* Advised members of the English/Language Arts/Reading Writing Team who wrote course requirements for K-12 curriculum for the State of Texas.

* Was a constant inspiration and support to the members of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Writing Team who wrote the Alternative Document (TAD) for English Language Arts and Reading .

* Established ReadbyGrade3.com one of the first addressing reading and reading disabilities and the current research.

* Established EducationNews.org which is becoming known as the "Drudge Report of Education" because of it's ability to access the most current education articles, commentaries and reports in the education world.

* Was recognized for his work with the Houston Independent School District PEER ( Peer, Examination, Evaluation, and Redesign) Committee of Reading which established the nationally recognized reading policy for the Houston school district. HISD Superintendent Rodney Paige stated publicly, " without Jimmy Kilpatrick this would not have happened."

* Advised the office of Governor George W. Bush as well as the Governor's Business Council on what and who would be needed for the Governor's Reading Initiative to be successful.

* Working for staff members on the House Education and Workforce Committee he pressed to insure the replicated research in reading was included in the Reading Excellence Act that was passed and signed into law by President Clinton.

* Recommended NICHD reading research Louisa Moats to oversea the development of the California Reading Policy for administrators and school board members throughout the state.

* Worked very closely as an advisor for members of the Alabama Reading Commission which developed reading standards for the state. The work included providing the replicated research and researchers support, as well as reviewing the standards.

* Testified on reading before a Joint Committee of House and Senate Education members for the State of Mississippi per the request of Representatives Martinson and Smith. Helped write there reading bill with House members.

* Testify before the Senate Education Committee State of Alaska on reading policy.

* Worked with other states including Arkansas, California, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida on reading policy and other education issues.

* Employed by the University of Texas, Charles A. Dana Center (1996-1997) as an advisor to the Executive Director, Dr. Uri Treisman for reading and reading disabilities. Was a member of their Family Learning Team developing a the Faith Based Initiative. Advised the University of Texas, Dean of Education Manual Justiz suggesting they being NICHD reading research into the university system. Worked with Dr. Treisman to insure the foundational skills would be included in the new math standards. Also, set up  meeting with math professors from California to strengthen the Algebra I and II curriculum.

* Although Mr. Kilpatrick is learning disabled himself an has a learning disabled son, he has a vast store of knowledge and has an entrepreneur's mind. Mr. Kilpatrick is a shining example of a person who has overcome his learning disabilities through hard work and firm commitment to help others. He will never quit in his undying efforts to help every little child learn to read.

It is my honor to submit this nomination.

Sincerely,

Bob Offutt
Texas State Board of Education, Member