Lizzette Reynolds

Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds is Statewide Policy and Programs Deputy Commissioner, Education Agency, State of Texas. [ [http://www.leadershipprofiles.com/preview.asp?docid=670813&t=0 Leadership profiles] ] . She came to public attention in November 2007 over the controversial firing of Christine Comer.

Career

Lizzette Reynolds was educated at Southwestern University (1983-7) [ [http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/417/A64 Linked In profile] ] and holds a degree in political science. She worked for a state senator and as a lobbyist before serving as deputy legislative director during George W Bush’s 1994-2000 tenure as Governor of Texas. [http://www.star-telegram.com/news/columnists/bud_kennedy/story/348074.html On intelligent design, a lesson in Political Science 101] , Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram] She worked out of Dallas until 2006 as the Secretary's Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Education, Region VI [ [http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/expert/TA/tan/directory/2006-2007/part2.pdf U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK DIRECTORY (2006-2007), page 10] ] . While in this role she was invited to the Board of Visitors of Southwestern University, [ [http://www.southwestern.edu/about/pdf/06_FFC-SOTU.pdf State of the University Address, August 21, 2006] Southwestern University] though she is not on that board now. [ [http://southwestern.edu/boardofvisitors/bov-members.html Board of Visitors] , Southwestern University] She joined the Texas Education Agency (the state education agency) in January, 2007, as the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Statewide Policy and Programs [ [http://www.tea.state.tx.us/research/pdfs/dropcomp_district_supp_2005-06.pdf Secondary School Completion and Dropouts in Texas Public Schools 2005-06] August 2007, page 4] . She was given management responsibility in September 2007 for the Curriculum Division. [ [http://www.texscience.org/reviews/tea-science-director-resigns.htm TEA Director of Science Forced to Resign] Steven Schafersman, Texas Citizens for Science, November 29, 2007] She has no teaching experience.

Comer controversy

In October 2007, Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education sent an email to a list of addressees including Mrs Comer. It announced a talk in Austin by one of the Center's directors, Barbara Forrest. Dr Forrest was a key expert witness for the plaintiffs in the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial, who argued successfully that the concept of Intelligent Design is not scientific, but is a trojan horse for religious teaching in public schools. Mrs Comer received the email on October 26, 2007, and forwarded it to some acquaintances, adding only the text "FYI". Reynolds was out sick that day. She received a copy of the email and forwarded it to Comer's bosses less than two hours after Comer sent it. Reynolds cover text is quoted in part: "This is highly inappropriate. I believe this is an offense that calls for termination or, at the very least, reassignment of responsibilities. This is something that the State Board, the Governor's Office and members of the Legislature would be extremely upset to see because it assumes this is a subject that the agency supports." [ [http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/29/1129science.html News article] The Statesman] [ [http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-11-30-schools-creationism_N.htm News article] USA Today]

Mrs Comer was subsequently asked to resign her employment.

External links

* [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/12-07/1213evolution3.pdf A copy of the email of October 26, 2007]

References