Yearly Archives: 2012

All HISD parents invited to attend STAAR info session this Thursday

Get the latest on STAAR – including new developments on when the “15 percent rule” will take effect

The STAAR test made headlines this week as state officials supported the delay of a controversial requirement surrounding end-of-course (EOC) exams. The rule, which requires that EOC exams count for 15 percent of a student’s final grade in a course, is to take effect this year for first-time ninth-graders.

In recent weeks, Texas lawmakers have voiced their support for delaying the 15 percent requirement until the 2012-2013 school year.

HISD and other Texas school districts are awaiting guidance from TEA regarding any potential changes to STAAR, including EOCs impacting final course grades. As testing dates approach, it’s important for parents to understand the latest changes and be familiar with the format of the test. Students will begin taking the STAAR test in late March.

All HISD parents are invited to attend an informational session this Thursday, Feb. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. STAAR experts will give an overview of the changes for elementary, middle and high school students. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters as well as a panel of district officials representing multiple areas, including special education.

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Johnston MS students win video contest celebrating “Five Ways Ed Pays” – see top entries

Johnston Middle School student Charli McBean is already actively looking at what colleges she wants to attend once she graduates. So when the College Board announced an HISD video contest celebrating the benefits of higher education, the teenager was quick to round up some of her fellow classmates and enter.

Click image to play Johnston's winning video.

“We all worked together as a group and we sat there and brainstormed and brainstormed until we finally came up with an idea,” McBean said. The end result is a music video that celebrates the “Five Ways Ed Pays” – better health, greater wealth, closer family, more security, and stronger community.

McBean and her Johnston teammates Zoe Caballero, Alicia Bozeman, and Anthony Okoro were recently honored for their creative efforts at the February HISD Board of Education meeting. Their winning video was shown to a packed crowd and all the students received new iPads from the College Board.

Also receiving iPads and iPods for their winning videos were two other student teams from Johnston and a team from Furr High School.

First place video produced by Johnston Middle School students Zoe Caballero, Alicia Bozeman, Charli McBean, and Anthony Okoro.

Second place video produced by Johnston Middle School students Josenique Gerard, Caroline Cweren, and Danielle Thompson.

Third place video produced by Furr High School students Alma Garcia, Jeffery Burgess, and Carlos Gerardo.

Fourth place video produced by Johnston Middle School students by Janet Asante, Tena Lewis, Payton Campbell, and Erin Parkin.

Tune in to HISD Up Close with Board President Michael Lunceford

Up Close logoLearn more about some of the amazing things happening at HISD schools across the district, in addition to districtwide initiatives and accomplishments on HISD Up Close, a monthly show hosted by Board of Education President Michael Lunceford. HISD Up Close is available online and broadcast on the district’s cable television channel.

The February 2012 edition features a tour of Horn Elementary, a replacement school built as a result of the $805 bond referendum passed by voters in 2007. The show also features an interview with fellow board trustee Larry Marshall who shares some of the great things happening at schools in district IX, as well as interviews with Westside High School students who recently competed in the district’s annual PetroChallenge.
When and where to watch: Every Sunday and Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on the district’s cable television channel. To view online, click here.

More HISD students excelling on SAT and Advanced Placement exams

The number of Houston ISD students earning college credit on Advanced Placement Exams and posting top scores on the SAT has never been higher, Superintendent Terry Grier announced today.

In the 2010-2011 school year, HISD high school students scored a 3 or better – the score most colleges require to grant course credit – on 6,657 college-level AP exams, a 35 percent increase from 2009. The number of AP Scholars – students who passed three or more AP exams before graduation – reached 1,070 last year, more than triple the number of AP Scholars in 2010.

At the same time, the number of HISD students scoring 500 or higher on each of the three subjects tested on the SAT college entrance exam is up significantly from the previous year – 18 percent in math, 13 percent in reading, and 10 percent in writing. The 500-point threshold is important because research shows that students who achieve this score are more likely to succeed in that subject in college.

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In the news: Senators’ letter on deferral of STAAR requirement

Following are links to news stories about yesterday’s letter from four state senators regarding the requirement that STAAR end-of-course exams count for 15 percent of a student’s final course grade:

Shapiro says TEA can waive STAAR requirement (Texas Tribune)

Senators support deferral of end-of-course exams’ effect on final grades (Dallas Morning News)

Central Texas districts vary on handling of new end-of-course exams (Austin American-Statesman)

Shapiro back delay on STAAR grade provision (Austin American-Statesman)

Don’t like the effects of STAAR tests on education? Opt out (Austin American-Statesman)

 

 

Senators send letter to education commissioner on delaying “15 percent rule” for STAAR end-of-course exams

Today, Senators Florence Shapiro, Royce West, Kel Seliger, and Dan Patrick sent the following letter to Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott regarding the end-of-course (EOC) examinations/STAAR:

Shapiro Letter of Intent

The letter gives the commissioner authority to delay the requirement that an end-of-course assessment count as 15% of a student’s final grade.  Although no official response to the letter has been issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), we expect the agency to move in this direction.

HISD will keep students, parents and teachers updated as school officials receive more information from TEA. If you have questions about STAAR, please attend HISD’s informational session this Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier to announce College Readiness Data

Superintendent Terry Grier on Tuesday will visit Westside High School to announce the latest data showing HISD’s progress toward preparing all students to succeed in college and for rewarding careers. The number of HISD students achieving success on college-level Advanced Placement exams has never been higher, and the number of students demonstrating their college readiness on the SAT exam is on a sharp upward trend.

Who:          HISD Superintendent Terry Grier and Westside HS Principal Michael McDonough
What:         Dr. Grier recognizes the progress HISD students are making toward college and career readiness.
When:        Tuesday, February 14, 2012; 10:30 a.m.
Where:      Westside High School, 14201 Briar Forest Drive

 

HISD named a 2012 Healthiest Employer by Houston Business Journal

The Houston Independent School District has earned the distinction of being a 2012 Houston’s Healthiest Employer by the Houston Business Journal. HISD will be honored at a symposium sponsored by Humana and the Houston Wellness Association on Thursday, March 1.

HISD is one of 25 organizations recognized for “outstanding achievement in creating a top notch wellness program.” The rankings will be announced at the symposium.

HISD’s Living Legends Honored for Black History Month

Trustee Lawrence Marshall (left) and administrators Faye Bryant (center) and Felix Cook were honored as HISD's Living Legends.

Trustee Lawrence Marshall (left) and administrators Faye Bryant (center) and Felix Cook were honored as HISD's Living Legends.

The HISD Board of Education recognized three “living legends” from the Houston Independent School District – Lawrence Marshall, Faye Bryant and Felix Cook – at its regular monthly meeting in observance of Black History Month.

Attend a STAAR Parent Info Session

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/36489794]All HISD parents are invited to attend a STAAR informational session on Thursday, February 16, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. The session will also be broadcast live on HISD-TV (Comcast channel 18 and AT&T U-verse channel 99) and on the district website.

Click here for more information on STAAR.