Yearly Archives: 2012

Houston ISD Among Four Finalists for Nation’s Most Prestigious Education Award

The wait is nearly over for the Houston Independent School District and the three other national finalists for the 2012 Broad Prize for Urban Education.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will announce the name of the school system that beat out 75 national competitors for the title of best urban district in America.  All four finalists made the cut for the Broad (rhymes with “road”) Prize because they demonstrated the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students from 2008 to 2011.

The other finalists this year are: Corona-Norco Unified School District in Riverside County, Calif., Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and The School District of Palm Beach County, Fla.  Aside from bragging rights, the winning district earns $550,000 in college scholarships for students who graduate at the end of this school year.  The other finalists receive $150,000 in scholarship money from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

HISD staff will gather at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center to watch the announcement live, beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.  The announcement will also be carried live online at www.houstonisd.org.

“We are honored to have the national education spotlight on the students, teachers, and staff who make Houston schools great,” said HISD Board of Education President Michael Lunceford.  “We have high expectations for every student, and we are proud that more of them are rising to meet the challenge each day.”

Members of the HISD Board of Education and Superintendent Terry Grier will be among those in New York City on Tuesday for the announcement.

“For years, HISD has been led by a visionary Board of Education that is willing to make the tough decisions that consistently put the interests of children first,” Dr. Grier said.  “It is that unwavering focus on high academic standards, and hiring and retaining effective teachers and principals that led directly to the impressive progress that Houston’s children are making in the classroom.”

 Houston won the first ever Broad Prize in 2002, and could be the first two-time winner.  Among the reasons why Houston ISD was chosen as a 2012 Broad Prize finalist:

  • HISD’s African-American graduation rate improved faster than in other urban districts nationally. The graduation rate of Houston’s African-American students, as shown by the average of three nationally recognized graduation rate estimation methods, increased 13 percentage points from 2006 to 2009.
  • HISD increased the percentage of Hispanic and African-American students taking college readiness exams more quickly than other urban districts nationally.
  • Between 2008 and 2011, SAT participation rates for HISD’s Hispanic students increased by 15 percentage points.
  • In this same period, Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation by Hispanic students increased 13 percentage points, an average of about 4 percentage points per year-an improvement rate that ranked in the top 10 percent of all 75 Broad Prize-eligible districts.
  • In 2011 alone, the percentage of HISD’s African-American students taking an AP exam — 23 percent — ranked in the top 10 percent of Broad-Prize-eligible districts.
  • Similarly, the percent of HISD’s Hispanic students taking an AP exam in 2011—29 percent—ranked in the top 20 percent of eligible districts.
  • A greater percentage of Hispanic and low-income students reach advanced academic levels in Houston than in other urban districts in Texas.  In 2011, the percentage of HISD’s Hispanic students that performed at the highest achievement level (Commended) in math and science at all school levels (elementary, middle, high school) ranked in the top 30 percent statewide compared to Hispanic students in other Texas districts. In addition, the percentage of Houston’s low-income students that performed at the highest achievement level in math at all school levels and in elementary and middle school science ranked in the top 30 percent statewide compared to low-income students in other Texas districts.

This year’s four finalists were selected by a review board of 13 prominent education researchers, policy leaders, practitioners and executives from leading universities, education associations, civil rights advocates, think-tanks and foundations. The review board evaluated publicly available academic achievement data that were compiled and analyzed by MPR Associates, Inc., a leading national education research consulting firm. 

In selecting the finalists, the review board looks for urban school districts that show the greatest overall performance and improvement in urban student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students.  Among the data they consider are SAT, ACT and Advanced Placement participation rates and outcomes, graduation rates, state assessments in reading, math and science, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, student demographics including poverty, state test rigor, per pupil expenditures and district size. 

Over a two-month period last spring, teams of educational researchers and practitioners led by the education consulting company RMC Research Corporation conducted a four-day site visit in each finalist district using a research-based rubric for district quality to gather qualitative information, interview district administrators, conduct focus groups with teachers and principals and observe classrooms. The teams also interviewed parents, community leaders, school board members and union representatives. A selection jury of prominent individuals from business, industry, education and public service then chose the winning school district after reviewing both the student achievement data and the qualitative site visit reports.

The Broad Foundation does not play a role in selecting the finalists or the winner.

Palm Beach County and Corona-Norco are both first-time finalists, and Miami-Dade is a five-time finalist.

For more information about The Broad Prize, please visit www.broadprize.org.

Twain ES Celebrates New Track with ‘Parade of Grades’

Students and staff at Twain Elementary School celebrated the completion of their campus’ new track with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Oct. 12.

 The new track, which encircles the athletic field and playground, lies just inside the perimeter of the fence surrounding the campus at the corner of Braes and Aberdeen.

 “Today is the day,” said Principal Melissa Patin. “Our children will finally be able to enjoy our new playground and track. This is a sterling example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”

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 The ribbon-cutting ceremony included a performance by members of the strings orchestra and concluded with the entire student body marching around the track for the first time in a ‘Parade of Grades’ led by the tiger mascot.

 “This project has been on our radar for many years,” said Parent Teacher Organization President Sydni Mossman. “It was in the original plans of the new school.”

 Dignitaries in attendance included HISD Board of Education Mike Lunceford, HISD Special Projects Director Willie Burroughs, Isani Consultants Engineering Manager Vincent Jacobs, and many of Twain’s corporate sponsors and community partners.

Don’t forget to finish the ballot: Early voting is Oct. 22 – Nov. 2

Click image above to see school-by-school projects.

Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 22, and ends on Friday, Nov. 2. During early voting, registered voters can head to ANY early voting polling location during the following hours:

* Monday Oct. 22 – Friday Oct. 26: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 27: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Click image above for complete list of early voting locations.

* Sunday, Oct. 28: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

* Monday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 2: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to vote on the 2012 Houston Schools Bond Proposition – it’s at the very end of the ballot. The $1.89 billion proposition would rebuild or renovate 38 schools in neighborhoods across Houston and upgrade technology in all HISD classrooms.

The measure also includes:

  • $44.7 million to replace regional field houses and improve athletic facilities
  • $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms
  • $17.3 million for district-wide safety and security improvements

Please share this post – and don’t forget to vote early and complete your ballot. For more information about polling locations, visit harrisvotes.com.

Photo gallery: A glimpse inside HISD’s oldest and newest campuses

With 38 schools — including 20 high schools — scheduled to either receive new campuses or major renovations, the question of what new schools would look like and what features may get built has been asked countless times.

Below is a slideshow of some of the newest Houston ISD high schools, including Carnegie Vanguard, Chavez and Westside. The latter two were built following the 1999 bond program and Carnegie Vanguard was built as a result of the 2007 bond program. The other schools in the slideshow — Lee, Milby and Davis — would receive major renovations in the 2012 bond program.

Early voting continues through Nov. 2 and Election Day is Nov. 6. Regardless of when you vote, it’s important to remember that the HISD bond program is the final item on your ballot. Make sure you finish filling out your ballot to have your voice heard on the bond election.

See the latest dedication of a building constructed with funds from the 2007 bond program. Sam Houston Math Science & Technology Center recently dedicated a technology and science wing to its building.

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MLK Early Childhood Center Puts Early Voting Lesson to Music

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/51682389 w=500&h=281]

Need inspiration to vote? Check out these videos from Martin Luther King, Jr. Early Childhood Center, where getting students to understand the importance of voting was a matter of showing them what it’s all about through song and dance.
Continue reading →

Team HISD is still hiring for the 2012 – 2013 school year

HISD still has openings for the 2012-2013 school year.  We are looking for motivated teachers who are invested in making an impact on student achievement.

 $5000 incentives are currently available for teachers in critical shortage areas including:

Bilingual (Spanish), Spanish, secondary math, secondary science, and special education areas such as Autism, Life skills, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, DeafEd, and Behavior Support. 

The annual teacher salary at HISD begins at $45,887, and salary offers depend on educational credentials and prior work experience.  HISD offers a comprehensive benefits package to teachers, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; flexible spending account options; and vacation time.

 Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, hold valid Texas teaching certification (or reciprocal out-of-state certification), and pass a background check. We are committed to diversity in our hiring and employment practices and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  

We are offering a $75 referral award for critical shortage teachers hired for this year’s vacancies!

Please help us spread the word that there’s never been a better time to teach in HISD.  If you know someone who shares our vision, please let our recruitment team know by completing a brief online form.  If your referral is hired, you will be eligible to receive a $75 award per referral for assisting us in our vision.

 We believe that an effective teacher in every HISD classroom is critical to ensuring a bright future for our city.  To apply to teach with our district, please visit HISD’s Teacher Recruitment page by clicking here.

Don’t forget to finish the ballot: Early voting is Oct. 22 – Nov. 2

Click image above to see school-by-school projects.

Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 22, and ends on Friday, Nov. 2. During early voting, registered voters can head to ANY early voting polling location during the following hours:

* Monday Oct. 22 – Friday Oct. 26: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

* Saturday, Oct. 27: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Click image above for complete list of early voting locations.

* Sunday, Oct. 28: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

* Monday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Nov. 2: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to vote on the 2012 Houston Schools Bond Proposition – it’s at the very end of the ballot. The $1.89 billion proposition would rebuild or renovate 38 schools in neighborhoods across Houston and upgrade technology in all HISD classrooms.

The measure also includes:

  • $44.7 million to replace regional field houses and improve athletic facilities
  • $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms
  • $17.3 million for district-wide safety and security improvements

Please share this post – and don’t forget to vote early and complete your ballot. For more information about polling locations, visit harrisvotes.com.

Schools get creative in getting out the vote

Schools across the district are getting into the voting spirit with campus-based campaigns  to raise awareness about Election Day and the opportunity to vote early, from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2.

Voters will not only be choosing a new president this election but will decide whether to approve HISD’s $1.89 billion bond proposition that would focus on rebuilding and modernizing the city’s high schools, as well as provide safety and technology upgrades across the district.

At Hobby Elementary School, parents and students decorated the campus in red, white and blue colors to promote voting.  Principal Stephen Gittens says the goal was to build awareness about the importance of casting a ballot.

“We’ve sent home fliers, we’ve done call-outs, we’ve shared information with our PTOs,” said Gittens, whose school enrolls  834 elementary students in southwest Houston.

Continue reading →

HISD Receives Award for Green Building Efforts

The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council presented HISD with its Green Pioneer Award on Thursday in recognition of the district’s “unwavering dedication to building sustainable schools for generations.”

The award was accepted at an evening ceremony by Board of Education Trustees Paula Harris and Harvin Moore.

  Continue reading →

HISD Property Tax Rate to Remain Lowest in Harris County

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education today unanimously approved maintaining the lowest school property tax rate among the 26 school systems in Harris County.

Superintendent Terry Grier recommended keeping the HISD property tax rate of $1.1567 per $100 taxable value despite the loss of $125.1 million in state funding over the past two years.  Since 2002:

  • Districtwide general fund spending is down $170 million, when adjusted for inflation.
  • HISD building utility costs have climbed $18.6 million, a 40 percent increase.
  • Spending on central administration has declined from 6.5 percent of the budget a decade ago to a projected 4 percent for the current 2012-2013 school year.

Harris County school districts with higher tax rates in 2011 than HISD include: Aldine, Alief, Channelview, Clear Creek, Crosby, Cypress-Fairbanks, Dayton, Deer Park, Galena Park, Goose Creek, Huffman, Humble, Katy, Klein, La Porte, New Caney, North Forest, Pasadena, Pearland, Sheldon, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Tomball, and Waller.

HISD’s property tax rate is a full 20 cents below the county average of $1.3576 per $100 taxable value.  This means the owner of a home with a taxable value of $200,000 in HISD pays about $400 less per year than the owner of a $200,000 home in another Harris County school district.  The savings are even greater in many cases, because HISD is among just eight Harris County school districts that grant homeowners an additional 20 percent homestead exemption.

HISD’s property tax rate would remain the lowest in Harris County, even if voters approve the proposed school construction bond referendum on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.