Irma Rangel

Exercises and Tasks

Brainstorming

Debate

Possible debate on the importance of HB 588 (Top Ten Percent Plan) and the effectiveness of the bill

Letter to Irma Rangel

Write a letter to Rep. Irma Rangel stating the effect of HB 588 or requesting the implementation of another bill to help minority students

Timeline of Events

Produce a timeline of the events in the life of Rep. Irma Rangel, including when bills Rangel's bills were passed and when Rangel received awards

Re-enactment of Texas House of Representatives

Students re-enact the events leading up to the acceptance of HB 588 including the legislative procedures with each student playing a role in the legislative hearing concluding with the passing of HB 588.

Produce a draft of an education bill that would benefit students

Using the format of HB 588 and HB 1640, students can create their own bill with sub-categories and such

Write a journal entry that reflects the reasoning that Rep. Rangel had for following through with HB 588, including events from her biography that have contributed to her efforts
Extra, Extra

Write a newspaper article describing the accomplishments of Rangel and explaining her importance to Texas history

Speech

Prepare a speech to be delivered before the Texas House that defends and elaborates on the reasoning behind HB 588

Research

Students can research statistics on the percentages of minorities before and after HB 588. The students can additionally prepare a presentation using dates and numbers.

Passage

Students can describe the events and circumstances under which Irma Rangel grew up (segregation, etc) and prepare a fictional passage from the perspective of a 12 year old Rangel describing what is happening