Category Archives: Uncategorized

HISD Board of Education Votes to Continue Advanced Placement Initiative

An initiative that has significantly increased the number of college-level Advanced Placement exams passed by Houston ISD students won unanimous support from the Board of Education on Thursday.

Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, HISD pledged to pay the AP and International Baccalaureate exam fees for all students enrolled in those college-level courses.  That policy, combined with expanded professional development opportunities that have given more teachers the tools they need to teach the more rigorous courses, has brought the total number of passing AP exam scores in HISD to 6,657, a 35 percent increase over a two-year period.  A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam is accepted by most colleges and universities.

This significant progress in AP exam achievement is among the many reasons why HISD was recently named among four national finalists for the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education.  HISD’s senior class of 2013 is now guaranteed $150,000 in Broad scholarships. That figure would rise to $550,000 if HISD were to beat out the other three finalists.

“Efforts such as our AP initiative demonstrate the HISD Board of Education’s commitment to providing every student in every high school access to classes that will prepare them for success in college and in the workplace,” said Superintendent Terry Grier.  “This $1.6 million investment is saving our graduates and their parents millions more dollars in college tuition bills that they won’t have to pay.”

Providing every student at every school with an academically rigorous education is one of the five Core Initiatives outlined in HISD’s Strategic Direction.

In addition to voting to continue paying students’ AP exam fees, the board agreed to spend as much as $338,800 on summer programs that will train more teachers to prepare students for the tests.

Board Shows Support for Recess

The HISD Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution and policy brought forward by HISD parents that recommends elementary schools offer daily recess in addition to physical education classes (by muanza). The resolution and policy does not mandate that all schools follow this recommendation.  However, all HISD elementary schools are expected to comply with a state law that requires elementary students receive at least 135 minutes per week of physical activity, which may include recess and/or PE.

Scenes from the NACAC Houston National College Fair

HISD students had the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from nearly 260 colleges and universities at the Houston National College Fair on Thursday, April 12 at Reliant Center. Info on financial aid, virtual campus tours, and advice on writing college essays was provided.

Click through the photos below to see more from the fair.

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Board President Television Show Takes an “Up Close” look at Bellfort Early Childhood Center and Black Middle School

Who: The April 2012 edition of HISD Up Close hosted by HISD Board of Education President Michael Lunceford features an interview with fellow board Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones about community efforts in District II to revitalize Frank Black Middle School.  The show also gives viewers a tour of the Bellfort Early Childhood Center, a successful school renovation project completed as a result of the $805 million bond referendum approved by Houston voters in 2007, and a look at how state and federal budget cuts are affecting the development of HISD’s 2012-2013 school year budget.

What: Monthly HISD UP Close television show hosted by Board President Michael Lunceford.

When: Throughout the month of April at www.houstonisd.org and on HISD-TV (Comcast channel 18 and AT&T U-verse channel 99) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8:30 p.m.

Why: HISD Board President Michael Lunceford is committed to showcasing some of the amazing things happening at HISD schools across the district, in addition to highlighting district initiatives and accomplishments. His monthly show will regularly feature a tour of a bond construction school, an interview with one of his colleagues on the HISD Board of Education, and a segment showcasing the academic accomplishments of HISD students and the dedication of HISD staff.

Learn More about College Options at the Free Houston National College Fair

The Houston National College Fair will be held on Thursday April 12, 2012 at the Reliant Center (1 Reliant Park) in Hall A from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The event, which is FREE and open to the public, is sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Students and parents will be able to meet with representatives from more than 250 national, international, public, private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Counselors will be available to discuss individual admission requirements, financial assistance options, course offerings, and other information pertinent to the college-selection process. At the fair’s counseling center, students and parents can discuss their individual needs with college experts.

To make it easier to navigate the fair and to collect information from multiple schools, students are encouraged to register before attending the event. By registering in advance students can print a bar coded confirmation to be used on-site at the fair as an electronic ID. Online registration is available at https://www.gotomyncf.com/.
Houston Independent School District students who have already registered should check with the College Access Coordinator at their campus for their registration code.

HISD students continue to make great strides in the pursuit of higher education. In 2011, the number of HISD graduates accepted into 4- or- 2 year colleges and universities reached 88 percent. Additionally, the amount of scholarship money awarded to HISD students has steadily increased throughout the past few years. In the 2011 HISD students were offered nearly $130 million in scholarship money, compared to $81 million in 2009.

Now in its 40th year, the National College Fair program annually helps more than 650,000 students and families nationwide explore their options for higher education, making it one of the most visible college recruitment fairs in the country.

HISD Students Selected as National Achievement Scholarship Winners

Five Houston Independent School District students have been named National Achievement Scholarship winners. Each student will receive a $2,500 dollar award. Each year the National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards scholarships to African-American students who have excelled in academics and who have demonstrated the potential for academic success in college.

800 students were awarded scholarships this year totaling more than $2 million dollars. Sixty of those students are from Texas including five students who attend HISD schools.
• Camryn K. Burkins – Carnegie Vanguard High School
• Somtochi I. Okafor – Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions
• Frankie C. Mojekwu- Booker T. Washington High School
• Christopher B. Reed – Booker T. Washington High School
• Nicole C. Syder – Westside High School
Nationally, more than 160,000 students applied for the 2012 National Achievement Scholarships, which were awarded based on several criteria. Students had to demonstrate a consistent record of academic excellence. They had to be recommended by an official from their high school. Candidates had to earn SAT scores that confirmed their Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores, and they also had to write an essay.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition established in 1964 to recognize African-American students who have achieved exceptional scholastic success. This is the 48th year for the National Achievement Scholarships have been awarded. As a result of the program, 32,000 students have received scholarships for undergraduate study worth more than $100 million dollars.

See photos of the new DeChaumes Elementary School

HISD administrators, staff and students will gather on Tuesday, April 3, for a ceremony to dedicate the new DeChaumes Elementary School (155 Cooper), one of  16 new schools designed with eco-friendly features. The school will feature new science labs, library and  Smartboard technology in every classrom.

Take a look at the new DeChaumes Elementary in the gallery below:

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See photos of the Worthing HS groundbreaking

The Sunnyside community, volunteers, students and HISD Board of Education Trustee Lawrence Marshall were on hand for the the official groundbreaking for the expansion and renovation of Evan E. Worthing High School on Wednesday, March 21. See photos from the event below.
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See what they’re saying about STAAR

The first administration of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam began today, and students and parents took to social media sites to talk about the test. Here’s what some of them had to say:

  1. Share
    “
    For the freshmen taking STAAR, may the be force be with you.

     

    Johnny TaylorDefiningMatter

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 08:00:14
     
     
  2. Share
    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB7ax2i73Rk?wmode=transparent&showinfo=0]
    HISD Answers Frequently Asked Questions about STAAR

     

    thehisd

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 15:26:50
     
     
  3. Share
    “
    STAAR testing was way more fun than I thought it would be!

     

    Ty SnopekTy Snopek

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:05:15
     
     
  4. Share
    “
    I think I’m going to like STAAR. It was pretty easy

     

    Aleaahh ;D_IbreakNeckss

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:23:40
     
     
  5. Share
    “
    Good luck to both my boys this week on the STAAR testing I love you both bunches, n good luck to all the other kids who are testing as well

     

    Chavella PicasoChavella Picaso

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:00:47
     
     
  6. Share
    Texas Education Agency – STAAR™ Resources

    STAAR logo Beginning in spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) will replace the Texas Assessment of…
    State
     
     
  7. Share
    “
    #BelieveItOrNot i like STAAR better than taks

     

    CINDOO ♥OBEY__BEE

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 16:48:32
     
     
  8. Share
    “
    RT @jewduhrob: I’m just a normal boy most days, but today I’m a STAAR.

     

    KJ Stewart KJStewy

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:05:22
     
     
  9. Share
    “
    STAAR is great.

     

    Max Rand.maximusrand

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:14:02
     
     
  10. Share
    STAAR – HISD Connect –

    What is STAAR? For years, students have been taking the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) to determine whether they have …
    Houstonisd
     
     
  11. Share
    “
    That awkward moment when someone’s phone goes off in the middle of the STAAR test and its an eminem song… #totesawk

     

    Claire StowellHeyCweezy

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:13:40
     
     
  12. Share
    “
    Good Luck my dear friends that have to take the STAAR TEST. I know you will do great

     

    Kelsey-Ray PassafumaKelsey-Ray Passafuma

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 09:49:55
     
     
  13. Share
    “
    Me: u ready for your writing test? Student: yes sir Mr. O’Neil, I know how to write stories. He’s ready for STAAR! #edchat

     

    TheCollinsPrincipalONeilCMSPrincip

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:28:45
     
     
  14. Share
    “
    Happy #STAAR testing today to all Texas 9th graders. Write like you’ve never written before! Wait, no…

     

    Hillari Hhillarih

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:26:27
     
     
  15. Share
    “
    Happy STAAR testing, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

     

    Christina MoenChristina Moen

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 10:00:18
     
     
  16. Share
    “
    New questions from HISD parents answered on STAAR Q&A site: hisdstaar.wordpress.com

     

    HISDSTAARHISDSTAAR

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:17:53
     
     
  17. Share
     
  18. Share
    “
    Shout Out!! to the DHS Freshman Campus…. in Taking the STAAR Test Today.

     

    Tselane Candi McdonaldTselane Candi Mcdonald

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 09:51:12
     
     
  19. Share
    “
    Good Luck Kids!

     

    Amber Parker-CollinsAmber Parker-Collins

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 11:36:31
     
     
  20. Share
    “
    iWonder how my little brother doing on the STAAR Test.
    This morning I told him if he didn’t know the answer to just choose C.
    #BestBigSister

     

    Hi&&Bye.✌HomeIGuess

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:13:57
     
     
  21. Share
    “
    Good luck today on the STAAR, Freshman.!(:
    #So happy to be a 1996 baby<3

     

    Sattyn Justice WarnkeSattyn Justice Warnke

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 10:10:45
     
     
  22. Share
    “
    Staar test was too easy!

     

    (● ω ● )caatado

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:23:02
     
     
  23. Share
    “
    Just finished my STAAR test , it was really easy I’m ready for the second part now!!!!!

     

    101410 thoo♡ ツ !Reree_3badd

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:25:35
     
     
  24. Share
    “
    First day of new TX state assessment, #STAAR . Less multiple choice, two types of essays, timed. Best of luck to all those testing!

     

    Sarah Jensenltf_sarah

    Mon, Mar 26 2012 12:18:59
     
     

Letter to community from HISD Superintendent Terry Grier

Dear HISD Community:

I am writing to let you know in advance about an article that we expect to appear in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper on Sunday that analyzes test scores from school districts across America. The story comes nearly a year after a major cheating scandal in the Atlanta Public Schools. This national exam score analysis was done in an effort to identify schools in which student test performance increased or decreased significantly from one year to the next. The newspaper interprets such shifts in performance as signs of possible cheating. We have been alerted that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s analysis has identified such test score spikes at campuses across America, including some in the Houston Independent School District.

I want you to know that HISD takes these allegations seriously and does not tolerate cheating. We believe that adults who participate in cheating are robbing their students of the quality education they deserve. I also want you to know that I believe in the integrity of the overwhelming majority of educators working in Houston schools.

Continue reading →

HISD seeks community input on plan to increase class time

HISD has scheduled 10 public meetings to gather community input on a plan to add 19 minutes to the average student’s school day by coordinating the bell schedule among the district’s 279 schools.

If approved, the extra 19 minutes of daily instructional time would be equal to an extra seven full days of school by the end of the school year. In addition, the plan would save HISD $1.2 million as the district seeks to address a $34 million deficit caused by the Texas Legislature’s decision last year to cut public funding.

Under this plan, every HISD school would have an instructional day that is 7 ½ hours long.  Currently, HISD schools have about 20 different start and end times.  Under the option presented, schools would operate on the following bell schedule:

  • Approximately half of all elementary schools would operate from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Approximately half of all elementary schools would operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • All middle schools would operate from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
  • All high schools would operate from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The cost savings in this plan would come from a much more efficient school bus operation that would allow many buses to drive more routes than is currently possible.  However before a final decision is made, HISD will be gathering input at a series of community meetings held in locations throughout the district. Principals are also being asked to meet with their communities to gather additional input. 

The public meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

  • April 3 (Tuesday) – 6-7 p.m.  
    • Austin HS (1700 Dumble)
    • Bellaire HS (5100 Maple Street)
    • Chavez HS (8501 Howard)
  • April 4 (Wednesday) – 6-7 p.m.  
    • Lamar  HS (3325 Westheimer)
    • Sharpstown HS (7504 Bissonnet)
    • Waltrip HS – (1900 West 34th )
  • April 9 (Monday) – Noon-1 p.m.
    • Hattie Mae Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street)
  • April 10 (Tuesday) – 6-7 p.m.
    • Wheatley HS (4801 Providence)
    • Worthing HS (9215 Scott)
    • Yates HS (3703 Sampson)

HISD has created an online survey for parents, students, and community members to provide feedback for the proposal. The survey also includes an open comment section. It can be found on the website http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HISDTimeSurvey.

HISD administration plans to analyze all of this feedback before making a formal proposal for the Board of Education’s consideration by May 17.  A detailed description of the plan can be found on the district’s website www.houstonisd.org.