Research project shows texting is an effective technique for motivating students
During the 2014–2015 school year, HISD participated in a text-messaging research project with the University of Pittsburgh aimed at improving FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission and completion rates among high school seniors at 17 district high schools. One group of students received the texts and another group did not.
Parents who still haven’t decided where to send their children this fall are in luck, as several magnet programs still have space available for the coming school year.
Magnet schools offer students unique opportunities to develop specific career-oriented skills in particular fields, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), maritime, or fine arts. Campuses with either open spots or short waiting lists include Scarborough High School, Austin High School, Marshall Middle School, M.C. Williams Middle School, Gregory-Lincoln K-8, and Carrillo Elementary School, all of which were featured in a series of magnet spotlights last fall. Continue reading
They may have left their middle-school days behind them, but that doesn’t mean high-schoolers can’t still go back to mentor those who now occupy their old seats. That’s why former students of Johnston Middle School are currently serving as volunteers at the Summer School Program.
The Texas Legislature convened from January to June of 2015. More than 100 bills passed related to public education.
According to Government Relations Director Ashlea Graves, one of the biggest victories for HISD was the passage of Senate Bill 1004, which gives all school districts in Harris County the ability to work with the four community college systems operating inside its boundaries: Houston Community College, Lone Star, San Jacinto, and Lee.
Fourth episode features geography and world history teachers at Davis HS
Davis High School teachers John-Paul Cortez and Alan Browne were recently “Caught in the Act” (CIA) of delivering great instruction during their lessons on world history and geography, respectively. An HISD video crew, along with Secondary Curriculum and Development Officer Annie Wolfe, surprised the educators and their students, and captured the video below.
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The “Caught in the Act” video campaign was started by HISD to recognize highly effective teachers who are delivering instruction that will lead to students becoming Global Graduates – young men and women who possess the skills necessary to ensure success in college and the ability to compete in today’s global workforce. Continue reading
Be sure your children’s immunizations are up-to-date before they head back to school on Aug. 24, 2015. There are many opportunities to get free vaccines this summer, courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital’s SuperKids Mobile Clinic and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Clinic. Continue reading
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Migrant students may not always live conventional lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean they don’t share the same dreams as other young people—such as getting a college education. That’s why HISD students who qualify for assistance through the district’s Migrant Educational Program have spent the past few weeks touring Lamar, Texas A&M, and Sam Houston State universities in order to learn more about the college application process. They concluded their tours, which were organized by the Office of College Readiness, with a trip to Stephen F. Austin University (SFA) in the East Texas piney woods on June 30.
Summer vacation may be well under way, but HISD students have not been resting on their laurels since school let out on May 28.
Between May 31 and June 30, children read almost 50,000 books through myON, HISD’s summer reading partner, and two of the most popular titles were a hit at both the elementary- and middle-school levels.
Waltrip High School’s Roarin’ Red Band made the trip to the nation’s capital and played in the National Independence Day Parade.
The band was invited to perform by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and it was the only band in the state selected. Continue reading
Brittany Lewis
Brittany Lewis, an HISD education technology specialist, has been named a 2015 emerging leader by the International Society for Technology in Education.
Lewis’ colleague, Elvira Salazar, nominated her for the award, which honors educators 35 years or younger who demonstrate vision, innovation, action, and transformation using technology to improve learning and teaching.
Lewis began working in HISD in 2007 as an AVID tutor at Westbury High School. She went on to teach seventh-grade math at Revere and Pershing middle schools before moving into instructional technology. Continue reading